Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid, Team India’s new captain and coach, on Tuesday, recalled their first interaction in 2007. The two take in charge of the Indian leadership – Rohit as captain in T20Is – as the Men in Blue face New Zealand in the first T20I of the three-match series starting November 17. 

Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid first met in 2007, when the former was making his ODI debut while the latter was the skipper. India were playing Ireland. When referred to the fact that Sharma made his 50-over debut under Dravid and the two have reunited after 14 years, both recalled their first interaction. 

“We were talking about it yesterday on the bus. I guess time flies, doesn’t it? I actually remember Rohit even before the Ireland series when we were playing a challenger in Madras.

Also read: Three ICC cricket tournaments in India’s volley over next decade

“We all knew that Rohit was going to be special. We could just see that he was a very very special talent that I wouldn’t so many years later be working with him that I never thought about or envisaged….

“… but honestly, the way he has grown as a leader as a person over these last 14 years now. What he’s achieved both as an India player and as a leader for the Mumbai Indians has been phenomenal.

“Having to carry the legacy of obviously Mumbai cricket and Indian cricket is not an easy one and he’s done it with a lot of grace and class,” said Dravid.

  Also read: Watch cost Rs 1.5 crore not Rs 5 crore: Hardik Pandya speaks out on Customs row

Rohit Sharma said that he felt the pressure when there were so many stalwarts in the Indian dressing room. 

“It was way back in 2007 when I was selected, but the first time I had the opportunity to interact with him was in Bangalore at a camp. It was a very brief chat and I was actually kind of very nervous and I never used to talk so much even with my age group people so leave alone these guys at that point.”

  Also read: Time off necessary: Rohit -Dravid bat for workload management

“So I was just quietly doing my things and getting a move on with my game. But yeah in Ireland the first time when he came and told me that you will be playing this game I was on the moon that, obviously felt like a dream to be part of the dressing room.”

“It’s been a long way since then. I have cherished all the moments that I’ve spent playing for India and also for my franchisee, Mumbai Indians. And we look forward to many more,” said Rohit.