Team India all-rounder Shivam Dube has picked Rohit Sharma over Virat Kohli as his preferred captain in an interview with SportsNext. When asked to choose between the two former India captains, Dube backed Rohit and later retained his choice when Suryakumar Yadav was brought into the discussion.
The Chennai Super Kings all-rounder recently featured in all three T20Is against Afghanistan in Delhi. Notably, the Men in Blue, led by Shreyas Iyer, won the three matches at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. He has also been selected for India’s upcoming assignments against the West Indies and at the 2026 Asian Games.
Shivam Dube Picks Rohit Sharma Over Virat Kohli as Captain
Shivam Dube picked Rohit Sharma over Virat Kohli when asked to choose his preferred captain during an interview with SportsNext. Dube also backed Rohit over Suryakumar Yadav and current India T20I captain Shreyas Iyer in the rapid-fire segment.
Dube stated that Rohit has a strong understanding of players and knows how to communicate with them according to the situation. He stated the former India captain can motivate teammates, reduce pressure and help them express themselves freely.
“Same thing that I feel for Mahi bhai, he has that quality as well. Rohit bhai has been playing cricket for so many years. I have been playing since 2007, so I have seen that quality in him too — knowing what I should talk to a particular player about, how I should speak to him, what he needs at that moment, and what I should say to motivate him so that when he plays the next day, there is no pressure in his mind and he can express himself freely.”
When asked to choose between Rohit and MS Dhoni, Shivam Dube gave a different answer based on the team he represents.
“So, when I am playing for India, it is Rohit Sharma, and when I am playing in the IPL, it is MS Dhoni.”
Dhoni led India to the inaugural T20 World Cup title in 2007 and guided CSK to five IPL trophies. Rohit also won five IPL titles with Mumbai Indians before leading India to the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph.
ROHIT SHARMA – THE ULTIMATE CAPTAIN 🥹
Shivam Dube said “When I am playing in IPL then MS Dhoni, when I playing for India then Rohit Sharma”. [Sushant Sinha]
A leader for generations, Hitman. pic.twitter.com/uUFxZFJJbA
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 18, 2026
Shivam Dube Picks Jofra Archer as Toughest Bowler, Names Suryakumar Yadav
Shivam Dube also named Jofra Archer as the toughest bowler he has faced. He put the England and Rajasthan Royals pacer ahead of Jasprit Bumrah, stating that he has faced Bumrah less often because they have played together for India.
“Jofra Archer and Bumrah are the toughest, but I have faced Bumrah less, so I’m lucky that I play with Bumrah in the same team and have faced him less as an opponent. So, I find Jofra Archer tougher.”
Dube also picked former India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav as the toughest batter he has bowled to. The CSK all-rounder compared Suryakumar’s unpredictable strokeplay with that of former South Africa batter AB de Villiers. He said both batters can do the opposite of what a bowler expects.
“I saw that quality in AB de Villiers, although I never played against him, but I have seen the same quality in Surya.”
Suryakumar has scored 3,272 runs in 113 T20Is at an average of 36.35 and a strike rate of 162.94, including four centuries and 25 fifties. He has also amassed 4,581 runs in 179 IPL matches at a strike rate of 148.58, with two centuries and 31 fifties.
Also read: Pat Cummins snubs Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma as he names toughest opponents from every nation