Rohit Sharma inspired a significant shift in mindset, allowing India to break free from the fear of failure and embrace a more aggressive style of play in white-ball cricket. Following the humiliation of a 10-wicket loss in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup in 2022, Rohit led the change from the top, urging the Indian batters to prioritise impact over time spent in the middle. At 36, Rohit, backed by a supportive team management, adopted a risk-laden approach to batting at the top of the order.
The results were evident as India became ruthless with the bat, not just matching global standards but setting a benchmark for white-ball batting. India’s 2023 World Cup campaign was defined by this strategic shift, with Rohit leading from the front. The former India captain scored 597 runs at an average of over 50 and a strike rate of 125 – the highest for any batter in the top 10 in that edition of the World Cup.
India narrowly missed the ultimate prize in the 2023 World Cup, but their commitment to the high-risk approach paid off in the 2024 T20 World Cup and the Champions Trophy. This shift in strategy was a monumental call that ultimately ended India’s 11-year wait for a major ICC trophy.
However, with Rohit no longer in the captain’s seat and the armband passing to Shubman Gill, questions arise: will Rohit continue to bat at the same tempo he favoured during the latter stages of his captaincy career? Can he afford to take those risks? Will the team management, led by Gill and Gautam Gambhir, back him? And if he fails a couple of times, will he still be given the freedom to pursue the risk-laden approach as India build towards the 2027 World Cup?
Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa, speaking on the Good Areas Live podcast with journalist Jarod Kimber, suggested that Rohit might adopt a more circumspect approach, finding a balance between aggression and accumulation.
“Rohit Sharma is someone who has upped the ante even in one-day cricket. Over the last 3-4 years, he has played at a much quicker clip, and I think that’s been a transformation of sorts for him. Ideally, how he scored most of his runs in one-day cricket is: his first fifty took around 60-70 balls, the next fifty took much less, then the next fifty even less, and then the next fifty even less,” Uthappa said.
“The shift in the way he approaches one-day cricket has changed. I think he has probably found a sweet spot with that. There are times I feel he doesn’t need to be so aggressive. I think he was leading from the front and he wanted to do that.
“Now, he would probably be a little more circumspect because it would have been much more difficult to drop a captain versus now as a player. They have also said both these players will be picked on merit. So, I think they will be a little more cautious before being uber-aggressive.”
A HAPPY MEDIAN?
Uthappa, who has closely observed Rohit’s evolution over the years, reflected on the 2023 World Cup final to emphasise the importance of spending time at the crease.
“I think he will find a happy median in between. For example, in the World Cup final, when he got out, the previous delivery was a free-hit or something. And the next ball, he still tried to take Maxwell down and was caught by Travis Head. At that point, I felt, I wish he didn’t play that shot. He already got a six in that over.
“It’s 50 overs; you want a batter of Rohit’s calibre to bat for as long as possible. When he bats 20 overs, he is a match-winner. He turns games on their head.
“I don’t care if he doesn’t bat beyond 20 overs. But he has to bat 20 overs,” he added.
Rohit averaged 48.58 in ODIs until 2022, with a strike rate of 89.18. Since the start of 2023, he has averaged 48.97 with a strike rate of 117.23. Even in T20Is, the shift in mindset was evident.
For Rohit, 38, staying fit will be key as he continues his journey towards the 2027 World Cup. Uthappa believes Rohit can play in the next World Cup, provided he maintains his fitness.
“If he remains fit, then I think he will be part of the next World Cup. Their template for success in ODI cricket is clear. They know what works for them, and they have been repeating that,” Uthappa said.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar emphasised that India are focusing on the present rather than the long-term futures of Rohit and Virat Kohli, stressing that the two senior players must keep scoring runs to retain their spots in the ODI team.
“What they have been doing for years is scoring runs, and I don’t think that will change,” Agarkar said. “They are still playing for the country, they are still leaders in the dressing room, they have scored tons of runs, and I hope they continue to do so. You don’t have to think too far ahead. This team has been picked for Australia. We need them to score runs like they have throughout their careers,” he added.
All eyes will be on Rohit and Virat Kohli as they return to international cricket after a seven-month absence. India, led by Shubman Gill, will play three ODIs in Australia from 19 to 25 October.
