Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has urged skipper Rohit Sharma to curb his aggressive intent and focus on batting for longer periods, especially in ODIs. While Rohit is known for his fearless approach, Gavaskar believes that if he stays at the crease for 20-25 overs, he could have an even greater impact on the game.
Rohit has built a reputation for taking on bowlers right from the powerplay, often giving India flying starts. However, his approach has also led to early dismissals, preventing him from converting his starts into big scores. Sunil Gavaskar emphasized that Sharma, with his immense talent, could dominate the opposition more effectively if he tempers his aggression and stays longer at the crease.
Interestingly, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has defended Rohit’s approach, stating that the team prioritizes impact over statistics. Gambhir lauded Rohit for taking risks at the top and giving the middle order the freedom to express themselves.
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However, Sunil Gavaskar argues that while quick starts are valuable, Rohit’s presence for a longer duration could take the team to much bigger totals, setting up even more dominant victories. In the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Rohit has scored 104 runs at a strike rate of over 100, but he has yet to register a big knock.
His aggressive style, which he adopted during the 2023 ODI World Cup and carried into the 2024 T20 World Cup, helped India secure the latter title. However, Sunil Gavaskar believes that a more balanced approach in ODIs would make Rohit even more valuable to the team.
Speaking to India Today, Sunil Gavaskar explained, “If he bats for even 25 overs, India will be at 180-200, and with just a couple of wickets down, they could push for 350 or more. He has the shots, the talent, and the ability to completely take the game away from the opposition.”
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The former cricketer further stated that Rohit should not be satisfied with just 25-30 runs but should push himself to play a match-defining innings. “There has to be some discretion. If he gives himself a chance to bat for 25-30 overs, his impact will be far greater. Why be content with 25-30 runs when he can dominate the game entirely?” Sunil Gavaskar concluded.
As India gears up for the Champions Trophy final, all eyes will be on Rohit Sharma to see if he tweaks his approach or continues his aggressive style.
