Suresh Raina has called Rohit Sharma "the next MS Dhoni" of the Indian team, highlighting the former's credentials as captain as well as his leadership qualities on and off the field, reports ESPNCricinfo.
"I would say he is the next MS Dhoni for the Indian cricket team," Raina said on The Super Over Podcast. "I have seen him, he is calm, he likes to listen.
He likes to give confidence to the players and on top of that, he likes to lead from the front. When a captain leads from the front and, at the same time, he gives respect to the dressing-room atmosphere, you know you have it all.
"He thinks everyone is a captain. I have seen him, I have played under him when we won the Asia Cup in Bangladesh.
I have seen how he gives confidence to young players like Shardul [Thakur], Washington Sundar and [Yuzvendra] Chahal."
Sharma is the most successful captain in the history of IPL, having led Mumbai Indians to a record four titles in eight years.
He is only behind Dhoni in terms of win percentage among captains who have lead in more than 100 games, with 60 wins in 104 matches at 58.65. Sharma has also captained India in Virat Kohli's absence and has led India to title wins at the Nidahas Trophy and the Asia Cup in 2018.
Overall, he has captained in ten ODIs and 19 T20Is, winning aeight and 15 of those respectively.