Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has voiced his concerns over Indian skipper Rohit Sharma’s batting approach in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), urging him to focus on building longer innings. Gavaskar’s remarks come ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, where India will face New Zealand in Dubai.
Speaking to the media, Gavaskar questioned whether Rohit should be content with scoring 25-30 runs, emphasizing the impact of prolonged innings on the team’s performance. “Are you happy with scoring 25-30 runs? You shouldn’t be! If Rohit bats for even 25 overs, India will be around 180-200. Imagine if they have lost only a couple of wickets by then; just think what they could do—they could reach 350 or more,” Gavaskar stated.
Rohit Sharma, known for his aggressive batting style, has struggled to convert starts into big scores in the ongoing Champions Trophy. His highest score in the tournament so far is 41 against Bangladesh, with subsequent scores of 20, 15, and 28 against Pakistan, New Zealand, and Australia, respectively. While his approach has provided quick starts, it has also led to early dismissals, limiting his overall impact.
Gavaskar suggested that a balance between aggression and discretion could help Rohit maximize his potential and deliver match-winning performances. “It’s one thing to go out and play aggressively, but there has to be a bit of discretion somewhere to give himself the chance to bat for 25-30 overs. That kind of impact is match-winning,” he added.
The comments have sparked a debate among cricket enthusiasts, with some supporting Gavaskar’s call for a more measured approach and others defending Rohit’s aggressive style as a strategic move to set the tone for the innings. As India prepares for the final, all eyes will be on Rohit Sharma to see if he adapts his game to meet the expectations of fans and cricketing legends alike.
