Cricketers and pundits on Tuesday praised Rohit Sharma's "empathy" as captain after he led India to a fifth successive series victory since taking over from Virat Kohli.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India overwhelmed Sri Lanka by 238 runs inside three days in the pink-ball match on Monday to sweep the series 2-0 and extend their Test series win streak at home to 15.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rohit, 34, is unbeaten in all formats in 14 matches as captain, but it is his different style of leadership from the usually combative Kohli that has won plaudits.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"There is something very disarming about him. He is talking up his players, he is giving his players an opportunity. I think there is far greater empathy," said veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle on the cricbuzz website.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I don't know if visibly he will be as aggressive as Virat Kohli, but he certainly brings a different flavour."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rohit, who has won five Indian Premier League titles with Mumbai Indians, became Test skipper last month having already taken over from Kohli in limited-overs and T20 cricket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
His hands-on approach with players has already been hailed by teammates.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Spin bowler Ravichandran Ashwin spoke of the "human elements" in Rohit's leadership after their opening win in Mohali last week.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Former players highlighted Rohit's consistency as captain.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Since Rohit became full-time Captain: 3-0 vs NZ (T20I) 3-0 vs WI (ODI) 3-0 vs WI (T20I) 3-0 vs SL (T20I) 2-0 vs SL (Tests) #INDvSL," said Wasim Jaffer on Twitter.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rohit said he relied mainly on his cricketing instincts to guide his captaincy while taking on board advice from the more experienced members of his squad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I got support from the team. There are a few senior members in the team who understand the game well and had their inputs as well," Rohit said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I have my reading of the game as well. But eventually you work on instinct and my captaincy philosophy is to take a call on that point which seems right to you, keeping in mind of where the game is going."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Test cricket will take a back seat for a few months as the focus now turns to world's richest Twenty20 tournament, the Indian Premier League (IPL) which begins on March 26.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India's next Test match will be in England in July to complete last year's unfinished five-match series that was left hanging because of a Covid outbreak among the touring side. India lead the series 2-1 with one match to play.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I think we are moving in the right direction. When we play our next Test match, it is going to be a completely different challenge," said Rohit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We have two months of IPL before that so guys have gone to their franchises and will hope to do well there.<\/p>\r\n\r\n