As a cricket fan since childhood, I was always on the wait for a tournament to start and I hated the period in between where India did not have matches. Whenever a tournament was about to begin, I clearly remember looking at players who were selected in the team. I loved Sachin. Everyone loved Sachin. He is the God of cricket, especially for people in India.

India’s tour of Australia in 2007 has changed my favorite cricketer and I didn’t see that coming. I thought, for the rest of my life I would be a fan of Sachin, and I was terrified by the fact that he might retire in a few years time and I may never get a chance to see him play again. Everyone has to retire at some point in life, even the legends. As I grew up, he grew up in age too inching closer to retirement which I didn’t realize that until 2007. However, In 2007 India’s tour of Australia, a young Sensation was selected to the Indian team. The world took notice of a young 20-year-old from Mumbai – Rohit Sharma. He did not score big runs, he scored crucial runs – with ease, class and flamboyance. I loved his style of batting, even so more than Sachin’s.

The following years, for Rohit were a mixture of brilliance and failures. For me, highs and disappointments. I would watch cricket until Rohit bats, would turn off the TV once Rohit gets out. I would appreciate the finesse in his stroke-play and at the same time, would crumble at the way he used to get out. Social media made fun of Rohit, I was made fun of for being his fan. I still backed him with all my heart to be successful and continued to watch Indian cricket just for him. IPL had a huge impact on his career, but that story is for another day.

In all fairness Rohit used his limited opportunities, but never really scored big. We, Indians have a habit of judging a player, good or great, based on statistics and Rohit was nowhere close to being called, let’s say a good player. Ahead of him, Many others made a career post-Sachin retirement. Social media critiqued him for years. Not that anyone disliked him, but many felt, he was overrated and others who deserved longer run, were stripped of opportunities purely in the name of Rohit’s talent.

Fast forward few years, In 2013, I clearly remember sitting in a room in Doha with few of my office colleagues, friends who are also cricket fans like me (and few billion Indians). Australia have come to India to play an ODI series. I was the sole Rohit Sharma fan among the group of 14 people. Stroke-making like never seen before, what followed was sheer class, elegance and power hitting combined, Rohit scored his first (of his three at the time of writing this article) double century in ODIs. Before him, Sachin and Sehwag have reached the milestone from India, but nothing gave me more happiness in the world that day than seeing him score his first double century. All my friends (and doubters/haters of Rohit) who made a mockery of his batting, just stood up and applauded greatness. They were so happy and so was I. More so because they saw Rohit through my eyes from then on. No one ever made fun of me for being Rohit’s fan ever after.

Over time, Rohit matured into an ODI great for India, one of the best ODI openers of all time. Only time will tell where he will end up in his career, either as just a great or a legend. Today I call him an ODI success, a great motivator and above all, a humble human who values teamwork. The lesson I have learned from him over the years – Never back down from a challenge, especially in adverse times. Fight your fears and back yourself with hard work and humbleness, the only way is onward and upwards.

I Wish, Rohit Sharma and Team India all the very best for the upcoming cricket world cup 2019.