Rohit Sharma, now celebrated as one of India finest batters, did not set out to be a run machine. The current holder of the record-breaking 264-run ODI knock once made headlines in the IPL not just for batting but also for taking a rare hat-trick while playing for the Deccan Chargers. He remains the only player in league history to score a century and claim a hat-trick.
A Young Rohit Was First Noticed for His Bowling Skills
Recalling his early impression of Rohit, coach Dinesh Lad shared how the youngster first caught his attention as a bowler. “I first saw him as a bowler, he was about 12 years old. I saw him playing a match against us. Then I told his uncle (Chacha) to get him admitted to my school. The school started in 1995, and I saw Rohit in 1999. He took admission that year. In the first year, he was in under 14. During practice, I kept making him bowl. Next year, Rohit went to 8th standard and was 14 years old,” Lad revealed during a podcast with Gaurav Mangalani.
In his initial international days, Rohit often stepped in as a part-time spinner. He collected nine wickets in ODIs, two in Tests, and one in T20Is. However, as he evolved into a fearless opener, his bowling duties faded.
Realising Rohit Sharma’s Batting Potential
Lad admitted that spotting Rohit’s batting talent took time. “I felt he should be kept in both the under-16 and under-14 teams. One day, while entering the school, I saw a boy knocking (batting). From outside, I saw the bat was coming very straight and good. I didn’t know it was Rohit at first. When I went inside, I asked him if he was batting. He said yes, sir. Then I gave him some batting in the nets at number six or seven. Before that, I had never given him batting practice. That was my mistake,” Lad said.
A turning point came when Rohit impressed with a quick 40 from the lower order. “He batted well. In a match, he went in at number seven and scored 40 runs. Very good 40, but unfortunately, we lost the match. When the under-14 practice started after the Harris Shield, the Giles Shield practice was on, I started giving him batting at second and third position in nets. The way he was batting, I felt he had a very good talent for batting. So it was important for him to focus on it. I told him to focus more on batting but keep bowling too,” Lad explained.
From a budding bowler to India’s go-to opener, Rohit Sharma’s transformation is a testament to a coach’s belief and a player’s adaptability.
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