Tushar Deshpande Opens Up on Dressing Room Experience with Rohit Sharma
Mumbai's pace bowler Tushar Deshpande has described sharing the dressing room with Indian cricket legend Rohit Sharma in domestic cricket as an invaluable experience. In an interview with ANI, Deshpande revealed that he learned crucial lessons from Sharma's approach, calm demeanor, and ability to handle pressure, which he has since tried to incorporate into his own playing style.
Learning from a Legend
Deshpande played alongside Sharma during the Vijay Hazare Trophy in December 2025, when Sharma featured in Mumbai's opening matches against Sikkim and Uttarakhand. Reflecting on this opportunity, Deshpande stated, "Sharing the dressing room with Rohit Sharma in domestic cricket was a great experience. Being around him, you pick up a lot just by observing - his approach, his calmness, and how he handles pressure. I've tried to take those learnings and apply them in my own way."
This exposure to one of India's most successful cricketers has provided Deshpande with insights that extend beyond technical skills, focusing on mental fortitude and strategic thinking.
Strong Domestic Season Comeback
Deshpande also reflected on his 2025/26 domestic season, expressing satisfaction with his performance after returning from surgery. He emphasized the importance of consistency and finishing the season strongly, noting that he maintained bowling speeds above 140 km/h even in the quarter-finals.
"I'm grateful for the season I had. Coming back after surgery, it was important for me to stay consistent and get through the full season, which I'm happy I could do," Deshpande explained. "Finishing the season strongly and still bowling above 140 in the quarter-final was a positive for me. At the same time, I've learnt the importance of discipline in all phases, and I'm working on executing my plans better in key moments while continuing to build my fitness."
In the recently concluded Ranji Trophy, Deshpande showcased his capabilities with 25 wickets in eight fixtures, averaging 25.76 with best figures of 4/33.
IPL Career and Future with Rajasthan Royals
Deshpande is set to continue his journey with the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2026 season, having been retained by the franchise following his performance last season. During the 2025 IPL, he featured in 10 matches for RR, taking 9 wickets at an average of 37.78, with best figures of 3/44.
His IPL career spans 46 matches across three franchises:
- Delhi Capitals (2020-2021)
- Chennai Super Kings (2022-2024)
- Rajasthan Royals (2025-present)
Deshpande's standout season came in 2023 with Chennai Super Kings, where he led the pace attack with 21 wickets in 16 matches, finishing as the team's highest wicket-taker in their championship-winning campaign. Overall, he has taken 51 wickets in the IPL at an average of 31.04.
As Deshpande prepares for the upcoming IPL season, the lessons learned from sharing the dressing room with Rohit Sharma and his own experiences in domestic cricket will likely play a significant role in his continued development as a professional cricketer.
