Every generation of Indian cricket seems to have one player who carries calmness like armour. For this one, it’s Rohit.

He doesn’t shout on the field, doesn’t seek attention, doesn’t try to look dramatic for the cameras. You might even mistake that silence for detachment until the bat starts talking. And when it does, it speaks a language no one else can.

Think back to June 2007, when a 20-year-old Rohit Sharma made his ODI debut. That was a completely different world of Indian cricket. Rahul Dravid was still in his prime years, captaining the team. Gautam Gambhir, who is now India’s head coach, had played only 22 ODIs then. And Ajit Agarkar, who now sits on the selection panel, was still trying to prove his worth as a senior player in that same squad.

That debut, all those years ag

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