A stand-in skipper, a stern test, and a title that transformed his stature
The desert evening in Dubai on September 28, 2018, carried an air of inevitability. Bangladesh had scrapped, clawed, and even threatened to upstage India in the Asia Cup final, but when the dust settled, it was Rohit Sharma - calm, composed, and in complete control - who lifted the trophy.
In the absence of Virat Kohli, Rohit's captaincy and timely runs paved India's way to their seventh Asia Cup title, and in the process, cemented his reputation as more than just a temporary leader.
India’s squad arrived in the UAE without their regular skipper, Virat Kohli, who was rested for workload management. For Rohit, who had captained with distinction in the IPL, this was a tougher stage - a multinational tournament played in challenging conditions, with an untested middle order and expectations as high as the desert sun.
He started modestly, scoring 23 against Hong Kong in a tentative opener. However, when the high-pressure matches arrived, Rohit's stature grew. Against PAK in the group stage, his 39-ball 52 guided India to a comfortable victory. The momentum carried into the Super Four stage, where his batting flourished — an unbeaten 83 off 104 balls against Bangladesh and a majestic 111 not out from 119 deliveries against PAK.
By the end of the Super Four, Rohit had scored 269 runs at an average of 134.50, second only to Shikhar Dhawan’s tournament-leading 342. More importantly, his strike rate of 93 throughout the competition demonstrated how he adapted to conditions that had undone others.
Credit: Indian Express
The title clash against Bangladesh looked like slipping away when Liton Das’s dazzling 121 had propelled them to 222 all out. India’s chase wobbled despite a steady start. Rohit’s 48 off 55, built on 7 boundaries, was crucial in keeping the innings anchored while wickets fell around him. His dismissal in the 33rd over, bowled by Rubel Hossain, left India needing 97 more with only the lower middle order to follow.
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The pressure intensified as Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, and even MS Dhoni departed cheaply. Bangladesh, buoyed by its disciplined lengths, seemed on the brink of a famous upset. But Rohit’s early solidity meant India had the cushion to withstand late jitters. Kedar Jadhav (23*), hobbling with a torn hamstring, returned to stitch the winning runs in the final over, completing India’s three-wicket victory with just one ball remaining.
India’s 2018 campaign was not just about runs - it was about Rohit’s leadership. He rotated his bowlers intelligently, unleashing Jasprit Bumrah at critical moments, and recognised the value of part-timers like Kedar Jadhav, whose off-spin dismantled Bangladesh’s top order in the final. Rohit’s calm presence under pressure influenced the team, ensuring India remained unbeaten in the tournament.
Credit: Indian Express
In six matches, he led India to five wins and one reserved a tie. His tactical insight - choosing two wrist-spinners in slow UAE conditions, managing Bumrah’s workload, and trusting Shikhar Dhawan to dominate the powerplays - proved crucial.
By the tournament’s end, Rohit had scored 317 runs in six innings at an impressive average of 105.66, including a century and two half-centuries. Dhawan received the Player of the Tournament award, but it was Rohit’s dual role - as captain and consistent scorer - that cemented his place in the Asia Cup’s history.
Credit: One Cricket
This was India's seventh Asia Cup title, their second in three years, achieved without their talismanic captain. For Rohit, it was more than just a trophy; it was an audition that confirmed his status.
