Last Updated:
Rohit Sharma (left) will be leading India in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai. (BCCI Photo)
Rohit Sharma is a big hit among the youngsters in the Indian team with Sarfaraz Khan referring him as an elder brother.
‘Elder brother’ Rohit Sharma doesn’t treat junior members of the Indian cricket team differently and in fact, ensures they aren’t intimidated by the new environment, challenges and expectations of international cricket. Earlier this year, Sarfaraz Khan made his long-awaited Test debut and he’s sharing his impressions of captain Rohit under whom he scored three half-centuries in six innings against England.
Also Read: ‘Rohit Hasn’t Changed, It’s So Ridiculous’
Speaking to JioCinema ahead of the start of India vs Bangladesh 1st Test in Chennai, Sarfaraz said he has enjoyed watching and now playing alongside Rohit.
“Rohit bhai bohot alag hain, wo comfortable feel karate hain, ekdum bade bhai jaise hain wo. Bohot maza aata hai unke saath khelne mai aur dekhne mai. Aisa feel nahi nahi hota ki haan ‘Tu junior hai, chal’. Aisa lagta hai sub barabar hain.“(He’s very different, makes you comfortable and is like an elder brother to us. I enjoy playing with him. He never treats you like a junior.),” he said.
The 26-year-old Sarfaraz has made it to international cricket after a stacking up a series of stellar performances for Mumbai in Indian domestic circuit. And he says the manner in which Rohit speaks to his players is enough to boost their confidence.
“Wo kaafi positive hain aur jo baat karte hain. ‘De na be jaake usko, bindas’. Bindas rehte hain, bindas sub kuch karte hain. Jub senior player aapke samne aisi baatein karte hain tu khud ka bhi confidence badh jata hai. (He’s a positive guy. The way he speaks, it boosts your confidence.),” he said.
Sarfaraz feels that Rohit is similar to famous Bollywood movie Lagaan’s lead character Bhuvan, played by Aamir Khan.
“Mai sahi bata raha hoon, meri favourite movie hai lagaan aur jo Aamir Khan ne jaise usme team banaya hai, waise jub mai Rohit bhai ko dektha hoon mere liye Aamir Khan hain. Family jaisa feel hota hai unke saath.” (Lagaan is my favourite movie. In that, the way Aamir Khan assembles his team, Rohit bhai reminds me of that. For me he’s Lagaan’s Aamir Khan. It feels like he’s part of your family.),” he said.
