“He is not pressured by…” - Mohammad Kaif explains why Rohit Sharma has changed his fearless approach

When Rohit Sharma returned to international cricket in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against Australia, he abruptly changed his batting style from flamboyant to considerably more reserved. Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif discussed this change.

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Rohit established a reputation for leading from the front throughout his time as captain, thanks to his aggressive strokeplay and explosive starts. However, since being released from leadership responsibilities, the 38-year-old appears to have adjusted his style of play by opting to bat deeper to score runs, avoid taking chances too soon, and anchor innings.

Ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, there was a lot of discussion about his ODI future because he hadn't participated in an international game since the Champions Trophy final. After intense training and weight loss, Rohit arrived in Australia with a considerably more slender and chiselled body.

The former Indian captain didn't score any runs in Perth, but he displayed his talent in Adelaide with a heroic 73 in a losing match. He saved his best for Sydney, where he tied Sachin Tendulkar for the most ODI hundreds in Australian history.

In the first ODI, Rohit was dismissed for eight runs. During the series, he faced 236 balls and amassed 202 runs, including a game-winning 121-run innings in the third ODI. Kaif, a member of India's 2002 Champions Trophy team, believes that Rohit's shift from brief but impactful appearances to an emphasis on huge scores is a result of his realisation that his reputation is determined by the number of runs he scores.

'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.

'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.

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