Champions Trophy 2025: Bravo Rohit Sharma for playing on the front foot at press conference | Opinion

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Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma is in command. Whatever he spoke, unintentionally and intentionally at the press conference, needs to be consumed in the right way. First, what he said while seated next to Ajit Agarkar, chairman of the BCCI selection committee.

Not realising the microphone was ON even before the delayed press conference began, Rohit was telling Agarkar he needed to have a chat with the BCCI secretary on a burning topic: Wives not allowed to travel with husbands on tours abroad. Like an honest leader, Rohit said he was getting calls from players on how this topic is burning!

It showed Rohit in his best form, someone who cares for his players. Yes, Rohit himself may like to travel to Dubai for the Champions Trophy 2025 with his wife Ritika Sajdeh with the kids in tow. The kind of news being peddled in some sections of media and social media as if wives travelling with the team is criminal, the players are concerned. Also Read: Nair-Siraj Omissions, Bumrah-Kuldeep Fitness Headline Team India Selection Meeting

Agreed, staying in different hotels can ruin the team bonding, meetings etc., but all the players are mature. They are not travelling with wives or bringing girlfriends on board. At least, till now, we have not heard such stories which are verified. Surely, someone like Virat Kohli would also have told Rohit how he does feel good when Anushka Sharma travels with him.

By the time the actual press conference began, news of Rohit saying something which was not meant for public consumption had gone viral. Maybe, some other captain would have been jittery, about how this faux pas happened. No, not Rohit. He took on questions and spoke at length on everything. He made it clear that Jasprit Bumrah's fitness is also not a clear topic and they will wait till next month when BOOM undergoes MRI scans again.

When Rohit spoke on his relationship with coach Gambhir, he was emphatic there were no differences and they were on the same page. He spoke respectfully about Gambhir and how they plan together. On the field, Rohit made it clear he is the boss. He makes the decisions and takes the decisions. This was good to hear since may have felt Rohit had become weak and not asserting himself.

It is important he clears the air before the team leaves for Dubai next month as tongues should stop wagging. Of course, agenda journalists will pedal bilge. It cannot be stopped. Rohit has also been accused of leaking news to select media. Today, that also was cleared, since he spoke free and fair to all.

On his own form and batting at nets against the white ball and how he will turn out for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy soon, Rohit explained making shifts from red ball to white ball and vice versa was not a problem. He did not need to tell the world he had played enough cricket and knew how to adapt.

The Rohit Sharma who spoke to a TV anchor during the Sydney Test when the collapse had begun and the skipper who spoke today were different. This is Rohit 2.0, a version where he is ready to lead, fearlessly. Most importantly, he will back his boys and not let them face the music, be over wives travelling or more.

Lastly, if honesty was needed and not glib talk, Rohit has scored plenty of brownie points today. People called MS Dhoni 'Captain Cool.' Well, Hitman looks in a good frame of mind. As they say in Mumbai lingo "Akha Rohit, Vaat hai!"