Rohit Sharma-led India are currently preparing for their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand which will take place on March 9 at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai. Team India have won all their matches of the mega event. While most of the players performed for India in one match or another, captain Rohit Sharma has yet to play a big knock. Despite making a good start, the India captain has been unable to convert them into big scores. After India's semifinal clash against Australia, head coach Gautam Gambhir backed Rohit saying that it was his intent that is making an impact in the team.
However, cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar doesn't agree with Gambhir and questioned Rohit Sharma's batting approach. In the exclusive conversation with India Today, Gavaskar said that if Rohit Sharma manages to play for at least 25 overs, India could reach 350+ in their 50 overs. This would create a match-winning impact.
"(If) He (Rohit Sharma) bats for even 25 overs, India will be around 180-200. Imagine if they have lost only a couple of wickets by then; just think what they could do. They could reach 350 or more," Gavaskar said.
"He also needs to give it some thought. It's one thing to go out and play aggressively, but there has to be a bit of discretion somewhere to give himself the chance to bat for 25-30 overs. If he does that, he takes the game away from the opposition. That kind of impact is match-winning. And I think, as a batter, are you happy with scoring 25-30 runs? You shouldn't be! So that is what I would say to him: your impact on the team will be even greater if you bat for 25 overs instead of just seven, eight, or nine overs," the legendary batter added.
Champions Trophy 2025 final will be the second time that India will face New Zealand. Earlier, they faced New Zealand in their third group stage match where India defeated New Zealand by 44 runs.
