ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma's aggressive batting a problem for India?

Former India legend Sunil Gavaskar urged Indian captain Rohit Sharma to show more restraint and bat for longer durations, advising him to temper his aggressive style to some extent. Known for his fearless approach, Sharma is renowned for taking on even the best bowlers, particularly in the powerplay phases of One-Day Internationals. While this aggressive mindset has often yielded success, Gavaskar believes that a more measured approach, focusing on long innings, could help the team in high-pressure situations, especially during critical matches. However, despite this suggestion, Rohit Sharma has received staunch support from Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma's impactful batting proving a problem for India?

While speaking ahead of India’s Champions Trophy 2025 final, Gambhir came out in full support of the 'Hitman,' slamming critics who questioned Sharma’s aggressive batting. Gambhir made it clear that the team does not place much emphasis on statistical performance but instead evaluates players based on their impact on the game. He credited Sharma for his brave and bold approach at the top of the order, noting that his intent to give India quick starts has been crucial in setting the tone for the team's innings. Gambhir emphasized that, as a coach, he values Sharma’s contribution in terms of the overall impact, rather than just raw numbers, underscoring his importance to the team’s success.

Sunil Gavaskar, while acknowledging Rohit Sharma's ability to dominate the opposition, advised the Indian captain to rethink his aggressive approach and focus on playing longer innings. Gavaskar believes that Sharma has the potential to be a match-winner if he bats for at least 20-25 overs in the 50-over format. Despite his aggressive style, which has earned him a reputation for attacking even the best bowlers, Sharma has only scored 104 runs in the ongoing Champions Trophy with a strike rate over 100, but he has yet to play a big knock.

Gavaskar feels that if Sharma adopts a more measured approach and stays at the crease for longer, he could truly capitalize on his ability and anchor the innings when needed. While his aggressive play has helped the middle order feel more freedom and express themselves, there is room for improvement in terms of consistency and converting starts into bigger scores. The ability to play longer and more sustained innings could be a game-changer for India, especially in high-stakes matches. Despite his criticism, it is clear that Sharma’s fearless approach has been vital for setting the tone for the Indian team.

Rohit Sharma’s aggressive batting style gained prominence during the 2023 ODI World Cup, held in India. Despite India not winning the title that year, Sharma’s fearless approach at the top of the order remained a key feature of his game. He continued this approach into the 2024 T20 World Cup, where his aggressive batting in the powerplay phase became a crucial part of India’s strategy.

Sharma’s intent to take on the opposition from the outset gave India the early momentum they needed in crucial matches. This approach ultimately paid off when India clinched their second T20 World Cup title, with Rohit Sharma’s leadership playing an instrumental role in their triumph. While his aggressive mindset has drawn both praise and critique, it’s undeniable that his tactics have been vital in setting a foundation for India’s success in the limited-overs format. His consistent ability to provide strong starts allows the middle order to capitalize and play with more freedom, creating a dynamic batting lineup. With Sharma’s leadership, India has not only challenged the best teams but also brought a new level of aggression to their white-ball cricket.

"This is an approach he has been following for the last two years or so. It started around the World Cup in India, and he has been sticking to that formula. He has had some success, though perhaps not as much as his talent should warrant. He is an incredibly talented player with a range of shots that not many others in the game possess," stated former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar in a recent interview. 

"Therefore, from an aesthetic point of view, from a crowd-pleasing perspective- I am not speaking from the team's point of view- if he 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," he added. 

Sunil Gavaskar advised Rohit Sharma to adjust his batting approach slightly, believing that batting for longer periods would allow him and the team to dominate the game. According to Gavaskar, if Sharma focuses on staying at the crease for longer and not just playing his usual aggressive shots, it would not only help him score bigger runs but also create more opportunities for the team to take control. He emphasized that simply scoring 25-30 runs is not enough, as Rohit has the potential to turn a game around by batting deep and anchoring the innings. Gavaskar believes that a longer stay at the crease would have a greater impact, allowing Sharma to use his skillset to dismantle the opposition. This, in turn, would set up the middle order to capitalize on the foundation laid by the captain, ultimately leading to more consistent and impactful performances from the entire team.