The pressure’s mounting. It’s clear in Rohit Sharma‘s approach. The moment he was removed as India’s ODI captain, Rohit curbed his aggressive approach. From January 2023 until the Champions Trophy 2025, Rohit had a strike rate of 117.23 in 50-over cricket. From October 2025 onwards, it’s 91.59.
Rohit Sharma’s approach change
The numbers prove it. Rohit isn’t certain about his position anymore. He’s gone from ultra-aggressive to cautious. We are moving ahead in the game, yet the veteran opener has reverted back in time. Why? Well, because he isn’t secure. When Rohit was skipper, he showed the team the way.
He was ready to risk failure for the greater good of the team. Now, Rohit doesn’t have the same liberty. At 39, he’s already the oldest Indian to play ODI cricket. Some believe it’s time to move on from him and blood Yashasvi Jaiswal in. After each innings, the scrutiny increases.
Fitness, an issue?
Most don’t question his performance or form but focus on his fitness. He missed 5 matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has the same recurring hamstring issue. In a bid to improve his chances of making the ODI World Cup 2027, Rohit has cut weight. But the noise just doesn’t stop.
He played his first ODI match in 6 months against Afghanistan in Dharamshala. The result wasn’t that great for him. 16 off 16. Rohit didn’t look great. He was hit on the wrist in the first over and had trouble against the shorter balls earlier on. The opener got a few away before a miscommunication with Shubman Gill cost him his wicket via a run-out.
Life won’t be any easier now. He looked scratchy in the nets during practice and wasn’t at his best during the game either. But all of this stems from the insecurity. One has to wonder what messaging he’s receiving from India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, and ODI captain Gill.
Failure of team management
Have they failed to give him confidence? Is batting slower Rohit’s own decision? One can speculate that he’s batting slower because he’s in better shape. Perhaps due to his physical limitations, Rohit started aiming for shorter and more impactful knocks. Now that he’s back to prime fitness, the 39-year-old has decided to revert to his original template of starting slow and going big.
Either way, it’s not great for India. The Men in Blue already have a few batters who can anchor: Gill, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul. There’s no need for Rohit to go back to that. India needs him to attack early on. Put the bowling team under pressure. With his cautious approach, India can’t outbat the opposition during these last couple of years.
If the management can’t make him feel certain about his position, it’s a failure. He’s one of the greatest ODI batters India has produced and still has the goods. But if you don’t give him confidence, how will it work? How can he free himself when there’s a sword hanging over him constantly?
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