Rohit Sharma’s journey in Indian cricket seems to be entering a pivotal phase. Following his recent decision to step down as India’s ODI captain, with Shubman Gill taking over the reins, many are wondering how this leadership change will affect Rohit’s on-field performance, particularly his batting approach. This significant move by the BCCI has ignited widespread discussion among fans and experts alike.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill
Former Indian batsman Robin Uthappa, a former teammate of Rohit, voiced concerns that shedding the captaincy might dampen Rohit’s signature aggressive style as an opening batsman. For years, Rohit has been instrumental in setting an attacking pace for India in One Day Internationals, especially during major tournaments like the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, where he consistently achieved the highest strike rate among India’s top five batsmen.
“Rohit has notably accelerated the scoring rate in one-day cricket over recent seasons,” Uthappa explained during an interview. He elaborated, saying, “He truly reinvented his game to bat with greater pace. The captaincy role previously afforded him the liberty to lead aggressively and express his natural attacking instincts. However, now as a regular squad member, he might adopt a more measured approach. Furthermore, with selectors emphasizing performance-based selections, both Rohit and Virat Kohli might adjust their batting strategies to be slightly more conservative.”
Video Insight: Rohit Sharma discusses India’s strategy in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
While Rohit’s last game as captain was the 2025 Champions Trophy final, he has publicly stated his intention to continue playing ODIs. Nevertheless, with the 2027 World Cup still some time away, and Rohit nearing his 40th birthday by then, sustaining peak form and fitness will be a considerable hurdle, particularly if he opts to concentrate solely on the one-day format.
Demonstrating his commitment to peak performance, Rohit has diligently focused on his fitness. Abhishek Nayar, a former assistant coach for India, recently shared that Rohit has successfully lost 10 kilograms, a clear indication of his resolve to extend his distinguished career at the international level.
Rohit is slated to rejoin the Indian ODI squad for the first time since the Champions Trophy, for a three-match series against Australia commencing on October 19. Cricket enthusiasts will be keenly observing whether the veteran batsman can maintain his influential presence and perform at his customary high standard, even without the added responsibility of captaincy.