"People talk about Sachin Tendulkar's career. People talk about Virat Kohli's career. Whenever we will talk about Rohit Sharma, it would be about the way he has come up (in his career)," said ex-India cricket and one of the finest coaches, Chandrakant Pandit. Trust Pandit to say it like he sees it.
More than halfway into crisscrossing the country for the league matches in the ICC World Cup, India's next stop will be the favourite of the team leader -- the Wankhede Stadium that hosts the game against Sri Lanka on Thursday.
The emotional connect to a home ground is unmatched. You spend your early years training there, you know every nook and cranny, you know where the most vociferous fans sit, you've even sat in the stands yourself. A home away from home; a comfort zone. Rohit will feel that too. It will rekindle memories as he walks out on Thursday and that of all those who have seen him grow and become this mega star.
Circa 2004. Mumbai are to play against the all-conquering Australia. You're playing your first game. And you arrive late for practice...without your kitbag!
The Mumbai coach then? Pandit. No nonsense and firebrand, disciplinarian. That youngster? Rohit. Based on his potential, he was set to make his Mumbai debut. "He came late and said he was standing near the door (of a local train) and his kit fell down," Pandit recalled. "It was a little upsetting to hear that. I was thinking, 'How come he is so casual about it?' But he wasn't lying. All Mumbai players used to travel by local train those days. I could understand that. (But at) that moment, I was a little upset. He missed out on that match."
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