India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, emphasizes the importance of maintaining an aggressive style of play in the ODI format to captivate the audience. Following India's victory in the five-match T20I series against England, Gambhir expressed his intention for the team to continue showcasing an entertaining form of cricket, aiming for scores between 250 and 260 runs in T20Is. He anticipates that this approach will also be mirrored in ODIs. However, questions arise regarding whether senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli can adapt to this style. Ravichandran Ashwin is confident they can.

Ashwin highlighted Rohit Sharma's performance during the 2023 50-over World Cup and the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup, noting that the Indian captain's aggressive batting at the top of the order has been instrumental in setting a positive tone for the team in crucial tournaments.

Moreover, Ashwin believes it is essential for Virat Kohli to maintain his role as a stabilizing force, balancing the aggressive approach with consistency. He asserts that if Kohli, at 36 years old, finds his rhythm in the 50-over format, India will be nearly unstoppable.

"Given Rohit's performance in the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup, I believe he will have no issues adapting. His ability to evolve with the game and lead effectively suggests he will not deviate from this aggressive template," Ashwin stated on his YouTube channel, 'Ash Ki Baat.'

"It is crucial to understand that Virat will assume the role that Hardik and Rinku played in T20Is. Who will serve as the link between the aggressive batting at the start and the finishing touches later on? That would be Virat," Ashwin remarked.

'Virat needs to play to his strengths'

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have recently faced challenges in scoring runs. Their performance during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia was below expectations. Additionally, both players encountered difficulties in their respective Ranji Trophy matches. Nevertheless, there is hope that a shift in format may lead to an improvement in their fortunes.

Ashwin has expressed the view that Virat Kohli should focus on his strengths, as he is a key player in the 50-over format. It is noteworthy that Kohli was the top run-scorer for India in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where the team advanced to the final.

"Virat must concentrate on his strengths, and if he can regain his form, it would be immensely beneficial for the Indian cricket team. There is no need for him to alter his game. Frankly, what is the rush in ODIs? It is crucial to adhere to the principles of the 50-over format," Ashwin stated.

India is set to compete in three ODIs against England, commencing on February 6 in Nagpur, before turning their focus to the eight-team Champions Trophy.

In Group A, India will face New Zealand, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Rohit Sharma and his team will kick off their campaign on February 20 against Bangladesh in Dubai.

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