Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has weighed in on Rohit Sharma’s recent approach to batting in One Day Internationals (ODIs), highlighting a shift in strategy that has been in place for the past two years. According to Gavaskar, this approach began around the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in India, with Rohit adopting a more aggressive mindset at the top of the order. While the Indian captain has found success with this formula, Gavaskar believes that his immense talent could have yielded even better results.
A Shift in Rohit’s Batting Philosophy
Rohit Sharma has long been regarded as one of the most elegant and destructive batters in white-ball cricket. With three ODI double centuries to his name and an ability to switch gears seamlessly, he has often dominated bowling attacks with his effortless stroke play. However, Gavaskar’s observation suggests that Rohit has deliberately altered his approach in the last two years, choosing to attack early rather than building his innings gradually.
During the 2023 World Cup, Rohit played a pivotal role in giving India aggressive starts, often taking on the bowlers within the first ten overs. This strategy saw him take calculated risks, ensuring that India capitalized on fielding restrictions in the powerplay. The intent behind this shift was clear—putting opposition teams on the back foot right from the start.
Balancing Risk and Reward
While this attacking mindset has produced some memorable innings, including quick-fire fifties and game-defining starts, Gavaskar believes that Rohit’s overall returns could have been even greater. Known for his ability to play long innings, Rohit was once the batter who would pace his knock, settle in, and then unleash his full range of strokes. His shift towards early aggression has led to mixed results—some dominant performances but also early dismissals that have deprived India of his ability to bat deep into an innings.
Gavaskar’s remarks underline an important question: has Rohit Sharma sacrificed consistency for impact? The Indian captain’s strike rate has improved in recent years, but it has also come at the cost of his conversion rate, with fewer centuries compared to his peak years. The trade-off between scoring quickly and staying at the crease longer has been a point of discussion among cricket analysts.