Rohit Sharma has six Indian Premier League (IPL) titles under his belt. Among those, he has captain Mumbai Indians (MI) on five occasions to the elusive title. So far, Rohit has represented only two franchises in the history of the cash-rich league.
The talismanic run-scorer played for Deccan Chargers between 2008 to 2010. In 44 innings for the franchise, Rohit made 1170 runs at a strike rate of 131.46. He also showed some magic with the ball during his stint with Deccan Chargers. He picked up a hat-trick against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2009.
In 2011, Rohit was bought by Mumbai Indians for ₹13 crore ($2 million). A couple of seasons later, he was handed over the leadership duties after Ricky Ponting stepped midway into IPL 2013.
Over the years, Rohit Sharma has played alongside many cricketers, both Indian and overseas. While some managed to be stay in the limelight while others faded away with time. On thar note, let’s look at 5 players you might not know were once teammates of Rohit Sharma in the IPL.
5 teammates of Rohit Sharma in IPL, whom you might not know
1. Manvinder Bisla
Manvinder Bisla is best known for his knock against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2012 final, playing for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Bisla scored a blistering 89-run knock off 48 balls and helped Kolkata win the title.
Before KKR, Bisla was a part of Deccan Chargers (2009), when he shared the dressing room with Rohit Sharma. However, he never got a chance to feature in their playing XI amid the presence of Adam Gilchrist as the wicket-keeper batter.
2. Shahid Afridi
IPL 2008 was the only season which featured Pakistani players. However, later on, due to the declining relationship betweem India and Pakistan, the Pakistani cricketers were banned from the IPL. Only a handful players managed to play in the IPL and one of them was legendary Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi.
He played 10 matches for Deccan Chargers. He had a strike rate of 176+ and his highest score in the tournament was 33. Afridi was signed by DC for US$675,000 (₹2.7 crore).
It was during Afridi’s stinit with Deccan Chargers, that he got to spend some time with Rohit Sharma, when the talismanic batter was blooming.
3. Sanjay Bangar
Former Indian all-rounder Sanjay Bangar has been both Rohit Sharma’s teammate, and his coach. In the inaugural season of IPL, Bangar was a part of Deccan Chargers. He featured 11 matches for the franchise.
Later he went on to become the batting coach of Indian team for five years before Vikram Rathour took over the reins. Bangar has seen Rohit grow as a cricketer from close quarters and has always reserved high praise for him.
He is currently the head Coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL.
4. VVS Laxman
Former Indian cricketer VVS laxman represented Deccan Chargers in the first three editions of the IPL. Rohit Sharma played under his leadership in 2008. Laxman represented played 17 matches and scored 238 runs at the fag end of his career.
VVS Laxman had once praised young Rohit for his superlative efforts in the inaugural edition of the tournament. Laxman once said on Star Sports: “I think the way he [Rohit] was batting in the middle order, under pressure because the team didn’t do well in the inaugural IPL edition in 2008 … Rohit was a standout performer for us.”
5. Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav was signed by Mumbai Indians in 2012. But he never featured in the playing XI. During his time with the Mumbai franchise, Kuldeep worked with Rohit Sharma.
Kuldeep even got Sachin Tendulkar out in the nets during his stint with the Mumbai franchise. He also narrated the story that is still close to his hearts.
Kuldeep said, “I bowled a normal Chinaman ball, Tendulkar got an inside edge onto his stumps. He was very impressed that someone was bowling the Chinaman as he had played only Brad Hogg before this. He spoke to me for 10-15 minutes, at that time I was silent and wasn’t able to say anything.”
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