Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif opened up on Rohit Sharma's sudden shift in batting from a flamboyant approach to a much more reserved one, which was evident in his return to international cricket in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against Australia.
When Rohit was India's captain, he started playing fearless cricket to provide an explosive start. However, since Shubman Gill was appointed as his sucessor to lead the side in ODIs, the 38-year-old batter changed his batting approach. Instead of smashing bowlers to all over the ground from the first ball, Rohit remains circumspect, avoids engaging in rash shots and takes his game towards the end to hammer a big score.
Mohammad Kaif on Rohit Sharma's cautious batting
Rohit, who failed, got out on eight runs in the first ODI, has faced 236 balls in the series, where he scored 202 runs in including an unbeaten match-winning 121-run knock in the third ODI. Kaif, who was a part of India's 2002 Champions Trophy squad, reckons that Rohit's transition from short yet effective cameos to a focus on monumental scores stems from his awareness that he is judged by the tally he accumulates.
"I think it is about captaincy. Now he is playing solely as a batter. He will be cautious. He is not a captain or a leader. He is not pressured by setting the example of leading from the front by hitting a six on the first ball. He has played a lot of balls," Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
Why Rohit Sharma taking fewer risks in batting?
Rohit's classic knock in the third ODI was mixed caution with aggression, and he hardly took a shot that would have hampered his innings. With the calculated risk alongside batting great Virat Kohli, the duo guided India to a nine wicket win.
"Rohit knows people will judge him by the number of runs he scores. He won't go for a 20-ball 40-run cameo. He knows he has to play big knocks. He will take fewer risks and take his innings deep. It is now clear that he won't throw away his wicket," Kaif concluded.
Rohit was the highest run getter in the recently concluded ODI series against Australia where India suffered a 1-2 defeat.