Former England captain Eoin Morgan, who led his team to victory in the 2019 Men's ODI World Cup, has recently highlighted the transformative impact of Indian captain Rohit Sharma on the Indian cricket team. As India prepares for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 final against Australia at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, Morgan's perspective offers an insightful look at Sharma's influence on the team's strategy.
Writing for the ICC, Morgan praised India's performance in the tournament, emphasizing the strategic evolution under Rohit Sharma's leadership.
"India, unbeaten in all ten matches, has been a revelation in this tournament. With Virat Kohli leading the run charts and Mohammed Shami as the leading wicket-taker, the team's performance has been nothing short of incredible," Morgan wrote.
This evolution marks a significant shift from India's traditionally more conservative approach to a bold, assertive style of play. Morgan notes that Sharma's captaincy has been a catalyst for this change, fostering an environment where the team plays with greater confidence and aggression.
"Since the T20 World Cup semi-final defeat in Adelaide against England last year, Rohit has spearheaded a shift in the team's batting approach," Morgan elaborated.
Rohit Sharma's aggressive batting in the initial overs has been a defining feature of this transformation. His approach has not only set the stage for the innings but also led India to have the highest run rate of 6.9 during the first 10 overs. Under his captaincy, India has moved away from a cautious approach, adopting a more fearless style of cricket that often leaves their opponents on the back foot.
This change in strategy under Sharma's guidance has been instrumental in India's success in the tournament. The team, renowned for its batting prowess, has embraced an aggressive mindset, which has been evident in their performances throughout the World Cup.
"No longer content with merely accumulating runs, India now embraces an intimidating, aggressive style of play under his leadership," Morgan observed.
As India stands on the cusp of potentially clinching another World Cup title, the significance of Rohit Sharma's role in reshaping the team's approach to the game is undeniable. His leadership has not only redefined India's cricketing style but also placed them as a formidable force in the cricketing world. This assertive and confident approach under Sharma's captaincy could be the key to India's success in the upcoming final against Australia.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
IND vs AUS, Predicted Playing XI: With Ashwin training rigorously ahead of final, will Rohit make changes to winning combination? Know here
'I don't see a place for him in India's playing XI': Gautam Gambhir's blunt statement ahead of World Cup final
