The rise of the hitman maps the journey of one of India's most accomplished cricketers.
Kaushik explores the character behind the cricketer. Personality behind the human being. And he succeeds for the most part. He shares how Rohit once forgot his wedding ring - an attribute that has been infamously attached to his name.
“People think his cover drive or his pull shot is one of his greatest strengths. But his greatest strength is his ability to bounce back from setbacks”, says Dinesh Karthik. Rohit didn't have it easy. He had to fight untimely injuries and wait for his opportunity. But he persisted.
The eureka moment came in 2013 when the duo of Dhoni and Fletcher catapulted him as the opener. This was followed by a remarkable partnership with Dhawan in the Champions Trophy. He not only made that position his own but did it with flair and flamboyance. The book does not shy in giving credit to Dhoni, Kohli and Shastri who played a career-altering role in Rohit's career.
Rohit is only the second captain after MSD to have led the team to two ICC titles. He also has 5 IPL trophies to his credit. There is a full chapter dedicated to his captaincy. How he has bridged the gap between seniors and juniors is something we have all been witness to. The T20 World Cup win in 2024 stands tall in Rohit's glorious career and Kaushik triumphs in detailing the emotions and feelings.
The author assembles a cast of cricketers and coaches to add heft to the narrative. Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Karthik, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, WV Raman, Rahul Dravid and several others - each one has a Rohit story to share. While this enhances the storytelling and makes the book engaging, the passages sometimes becomes repetitive and tiresome.
But there is a bigger problem. Most of the book is a recollection of events, facts and statistics. The narrative oscillates between the landmark moments of Rohit's career. It stops celebrating the story and instead focuses on the events. Kaushik’s writing helps it thrive but there is very little to hold my interest.
The praises for his leadership are in plenty. Almost till a point where it risks becoming a hagiography. The 2023 World Cup is a recurring topic in the book. But there is very little mention of Rohit's captaincy in the final. Be it the misreading of the pitch. Or the bowling changes. Or how defensive Rohit was in setting the field. The book talks about the loss. Of the heartbreak. But not the errors.
Even the 3-0 hammering at the hands of the Kiwis in 2024. To put it in perspective, this was the first time India lost a three test series at home ever since it became a Test playing nation in 1932. It was a defining moment in Indian cricket and in Rohit’s leadership career too.
There is just a fleeting mention but nothing on Rohit's batting where he scored 94 runs across three matches or captaincy where he looked clueless and unimaginative with no real ideas. The author does explore his batting inconsistencies but I wish he delved into these moments in detail.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, if you are a Rohit fan, this book will delight you. For a neutral and a non-cricket fan, there is little here to keep you captivated.
My Rating: 3/5
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