IND vs NED: Rohit Sharma reveals how Rahul Dravid has been leader on and off field in World Cup 2023

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IND vs NED: India head coach Rahul Dravid has praised Rohit Sharma for leading from the front on and off the field in the ongoing World Cup 2023. Ahead of the India's last league match against Netherlands in Bengaluru on Sunday, Dravid credited Rohit for laying the perfect foundation for India to win matches through his cracking start as an opener.

The 36-year-old India captain is the joint fifth-highest run-scorer in the World Cup 2023. He has scored 443 runs from eight matches at an average of 55.25 and a strike-rate of 122. Without caring for personal milestones, Rohit has put pressure on the opposition teams by attacking from ball one.

"Rohit has certainly been a leader. I think he's led by example both on and off the field," said Dravid during a pre-match press conference on the eve of India's final league match against the Netherlands.

"There have been some games where it could have been tricky for us, but the fact that he's been able to get us to those kinds of starts has literally cracked open the game.

"It's actually has made it look easy for us and certainly made it easier for the guys who followed in that (batting) department."

Dravid said Rohit, who has led India to eight consecutive win in the ongoing ICC tournament, sets the example for others by imbibing the team mottos, and it has created a massive impact in the Indian dressing room.

The former Indian captain, perhaps, had in his mind the aggressive way Rohit has opened till date in this event, a stimulant for others to follow his suit.

"We've talked about playing in a particular way. You cannot do that unless your leader buys in and shows by example. It's been terrific to see the way Rohit's done that. I think his captaincy has been fantastic. He's someone who's certainly got the respect of the group and the coaching staff," said Dravid.

(With Input from PTI)