Following Rohit Sharma’s historic triumph as only the third Indian captain to secure a World Cup title in the T20 format, alongside legends Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni, he made the poignant decision to retire from T20Is, culminating a distinguished career. Rohit concluded his tenure as the highest run-scorer in T20Is at the time of his retirement.
Amid widespread acclaim for his remarkable feat, Yogesh Patel, Rohit Sharma’s school director, expressed immense pride in witnessing the growth of such an exceptional cricketer under his guidance.
Yogesh Patel hails Rohit Sharma for making the nation proud
During an exclusive interview with India Today, Rohit Sharma’s school director Yogesh Patel revealed that he gave Rohit the freeship and allowed him to play cricket despite any hurdles.
“I gave freeship to Rohit in 1999. We gave him the scholarship on merit. Rohit was staying at his uncle’s place at that time when my coach supported him during one of the tournaments,” Yogesh Patel said.
Yogesh Patel further said that it was a proud moment to see Rohit grow up in front of them. He thanked Rohit for making the school and country proud.
“We used to advise him in school, not anymore. Now, the entire world bows down to him. I take a lot of pride as he has grown up in front of us. His performances in school tournaments were stellar. Rohit not only made our school proud, but the whole nation proud. I thank him for coming to our school and putting us on the international map,” Mr. Patel stated.
“It was a surprise and shock to us” – Yogesh Patek on Rohit Sharma’s decision to retire from T20Is
When asked about Rohit’s decision to retire from T20Is, Yogesh Patel replied that it was a huge surprise for him to see Rohit retire. But he added that the Indian captain knows what he is doing and is matured enough to take his decisions.
“It was a surprise and shock to us and the whole nation because everybody wanted to see Rohit as the captain; if not the captain, then as a player. But when he announced his retirement, I felt that it was a good decision as he bowed out on top. He is a very wise boy; he is smart, and he is mature and talented as well. So, he knows what he needs to do,” Mr. Patel responded.
Rohit Sharma played a pivotal role in India’s victory at the T20 World Cup 2024, showcasing exceptional form throughout the tournament. As the Indian captain, he amassed 257 runs across eight matches with an impressive average of 36.71 and a striking strike rate of 156.70. His performance earned him the distinction of being the tournament’s second highest run-scorer.
Rohit Sharma’s standout moments included his explosive batting at the top of the order, notably his memorable innings of 92 runs off just 41 deliveries against Australia in a crucial Super 8 encounter. He followed this up with a crucial half-century against England in the semi-finals, contributing significantly to India’s success in the tournament.
