Mumbai: Between his debut in 2007 and January 2013, Rohit Sharma participated in 86 One Day Internationals (ODIs), accumulating 1,978 runs at an average of 30.43. These statistics were considered underwhelming for a player of his caliber, leading many fans to call for his removal from the team.

Recognizing the potential being wasted by batting Rohit lower in the order, MS Dhoni made the pivotal decision to promote him to the opening position just before the 2013 Champions Trophy. 

“I believe that the decision to open in ODIs transformed my career, and it was Dhoni who made that choice. I improved significantly as a batsman thereafter,” Rohit remarked in 2017.

“He approached me and expressed, ‘I want you to open the innings because I am confident in your abilities. You possess the skills to excel as an opener, particularly with your proficiency in both the cut and pull shots,’” Rohit continued. “He advised me not to fear failure or be disheartened by criticism, as he was focused on the broader perspective with the Champions Trophy approaching in England that year.”

This moment can be regarded as a turning point in Rohit’s career. Since then, in 182 matches, he has amassed 9,010 runs at an impressive average of 56.66, including 30 centuries.

He has established himself as one of the most formidable batsmen in the format, which subsequently led to his inclusion in Test cricket and his eventual appointment as India’s captain across all formats.

As the 2025 Champions Trophy approaches, 12 years after this significant change, Rohit finds himself once again in need of revitalization. He aspires to continue his career on his own terms, but much will hinge on his performance as both captain and opener.

A century in the ODI against England in Cuttack would have alleviated some of the pressure—he scored 119 runs off 90 balls, including seven sixes—after a challenging period of 13 low scores. However, Rohit’s game heavily relies on his economy of movement, delicate touch, fluid bat swing, and exceptional timing.

Is it all back?

That is a question that will find its answer only in Dubai. Opposition bowlers are acutely aware of the Indian captain's vulnerabilities and tend to target him more aggressively than usual. Nevertheless, Rohit will continue to play his shots.

“Layenge, layenge (We’ll bring it, we’ll bring it),” Rohit assured a fan with a relaxed attitude before departing for the Champions Trophy.

Despite his laid-back approach when addressing the media, Rohit’s mind is constantly engaged. He reflects on both past experiences and future possibilities, yet the present remains his primary focus.

This Champions Trophy marks his 14th ICC event in the limited-overs format, and with the wealth of talent in Indian cricket, there is no room for failure.

The only ICC event he missed was the 2011 ODI World Cup, where his position was filled to allow for an additional leg spinner. In Dubai, promising talent Yashasvi Jaiswal has been sidelined to make way for a mystery spinner.

Batting reinvention

Rohit has successfully adapted his white-ball batting approach over the past few years, regardless of any declining returns. He led the scoring in the 2019 ODI World Cup, amassing 648 runs at an average of 81, including five centuries, before altering his strategy.

Previously, he focused on pacing his innings and batting deep, only accelerating towards the end. However, in the 2023 ODI World Cup, Rohit aimed to score rapidly during the Powerplay.

This strategic shift significantly benefited India. He accumulated 401 runs in the Powerplay at a strike rate of 135 across 11 World Cup innings. The trade-off was a reduction in his average innings duration, lasting only 43 balls compared to 73 in the previous World Cup.

Nevertheless, he still scored 597 runs in the tournament with an improved strike rate of 125, second only to Virat Kohli in total runs. Rohit's aggressive starts allowed Kohli to maintain his established style and manage the innings more effectively.

Shubman Gill, Rohit's opening partner, remarked, “The way Rohit bhai has been batting in ODIs over the past year and a half has been transformative for us. His ability to seize momentum from the outset and dominate from the first ball eases the responsibilities of the non-striker and incoming batsmen, significantly benefiting our team.”

Gill's observation holds merit. In the 2023 World Cup, Rohit was dismissed five times during the Powerplay, only twice more than in 2019, despite the inherent risks. Given that the Champions Trophy is shorter than an ODI World Cup and the league stage consists of only three matches, this strategy may prove to be more precarious.

Entering the tournament without a substantial run tally, Rohit will require some fortune to consistently achieve his targets. However, throughout his extensive career, the 37-year-old has likely learned that sometimes, one must create their own opportunities.

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