India's captain, Rohit Sharma, addressed concerns regarding his performance by scoring an ODI century prior to the Champions Trophy. However, he has accumulated only 104 runs across four innings in the ongoing ICC tournament, raising apprehensions among experts ahead of the crucial final against New Zealand on Sunday. India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, defended Rohit against his critics, but former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar suggested that the 37-year-old should reconsider his batting strategy.

In a press conference following India's semifinal victory over Australia on Tuesday, Gambhir emphasized that statistics do not solely determine Rohit's form; rather, the significant impact of his explosive starts is vital for the team. Conversely, in an interview with India Today, Sunil Gavaskar advised Rohit to temper his aggressive approach in the upcoming match against the Black Caps, which could potentially be his last ODI appearance, and to focus on batting for a minimum of 25 overs.

"This strategy has been his modus operandi for the past two years, beginning around the World Cup in India, and he has adhered to this formula. While he has experienced some success, it may not fully reflect the level of his talent. He is an exceptionally skilled player with a diverse array of shots that few others in the sport can match," Gavaskar remarked on Wednesday.

"From an aesthetic standpoint and considering crowd appeal, I am not addressing the team's perspective. If he bats for even 25 overs, India could be positioned around 180-200 runs. Just imagine if they have lost only a couple of wickets by that time; the potential to reach 350 or more is significant."

'Are you happy scoring 25 runs?'

Rohit had modified his strategy in white-ball cricket prior to the 2023 ODI World Cup, which played a pivotal role in India's journey to the final and their subsequent victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Gavaskar suggested that if Rohit can deviate from his usual style and focus on batting longer, he could potentially deliver a match-winning performance against New Zealand.

"He must also reflect on this. While it is commendable to play with aggression, there must be a degree of prudence to allow himself the opportunity to bat for 25 to 30 overs. Achieving this would enable him to dominate the game against the opposition," Gavaskar remarked.

"Such an influence is indeed match-winning. As a batsman, one should not be content with merely scoring 25 to 30 runs. Therefore, my advice to him would be that his contribution to the team would be significantly enhanced if he batted for 25 overs rather than just seven, eight, or nine."

Despite Gavaskar's recommendations, it is improbable that Rohit will forsake his aggressive batting approach when India faces New Zealand for the Champions Trophy title on Sunday in Dubai.

Read Also: On This Day: India Crush England to Seal Series Win & Secure World Test Championship Final Spot

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