Rohit Sharma’s aggressive approach has changed how India plays white-ball cricket: Abhishek Nayar

The three-match ODI series between India and South Africa is currently level at 1-1. After going down in the series-opening clash in Ranchi by 17 runs, the Proteas scripted a magnificent fightback in the second in Raipur gunning down a record 359 to level the series. Both the teams will be targeting a series-clinching victory third ODI, scheduled in Visakhapatnam on December 6. 

Ahead of the decider, former India coach Abhishek Nayar analysed Rohit Sharma’s approach in testing conditions, Virat Kohli’s tactical tweaks, India’s finishing issues, and the batting form needed to close out the series.

Nayar analysed Rohit Sharma’s growth as an ODI batter, crediting him for successfully transitioning from a lower-order role to an opener and evolving further to invent a highly aggressive and attracking approach.

“Rohit Sharma has transitioned well in ODIs. From starting lower down the order, early on in his career to becoming a secure opener. This is where he truly evolved, changing how India plays white-ball cricket by adopting an aggressive approach focused on hitting sixes rather than just accumulating runs. His leadership by example, playing without worrying about centuries, has raised team standards,” said Nayar on JioStar.

Asked why Rohit is not coming out of the crease much to play his shots, Nayar stated the swinging conditions and uneven bounce being the reason behind the same.

“Rohit Sharma hasn’t stepped out to hit big shots mainly due to swinging conditions in this series. When he feels the ball isn’t swinging much, he confidently takes on bowlers. He’s been careful with his footwork because of uncertain pitch bounce. But in familiar Vizag conditions, we’ll likely see his aggressive stepping-out game return.”

Nayar also opened up on Virat Kohli‘s shot execution, assessing key attributes of his batting. Nayar highlighted that Kohli’s bat is coming down much straighter and he has ensured to stay on top of the ball to impart more power and have better balance while executing his shots. Kohli has smashed two consecutive centuries and is primed to make a hat-trick in Visakhapatnam.

“One of the greatest things Virat Kohli has done this series against South Africa is how he hits the ball at the key moments. His greatness is in how straight his bat path comes down to impact the ball. We didn’t see that a lot before. The bat used to open up. But here, every single time you see him hit the ball, his head is right over it. That happens very regularly. He brings the bat down in line with the ball, even when it is angling away. He manages to play it straight all the time. That is his greatness and a main reason he has been so successful.”

Nayar further elaborated on the tactical adjustments made by Kohli in his batting style, suggesting that he is able to adapt better to different lengths as he is resorting to different guards at the crease.

“Virat has changed his batting a lot since the Australia tour, mainly in his tactics. If you see his last two ODI innings against South Africa, every single shot comes from a different guard. He’s been on leg stump, on middle stump and on off stump as well. He’s made those changes so he can adapt to every length. He’s used his feet, been deep in the crease, and been outside the crease. His brain has worked like an AI computer, trying to figure everything out. Also, the conditions have helped the style of cricket Virat wants to play.”

Nayar also lauded Ruturaj Gaikwad‘s control and technique after the right-hander slammed his maiden ODI century in Raipur.

“We have seen South African pacers bowl at the fifth stump line to Ruturaj Gaikwad, and bowl close to his pads to get him LBW. The key thing is how effective he has been whenever the ball is in that area. Every time they bowl close to him, he plays the same shot on the offside and the same shot on the onside. That shows the kind of batting skill he has, because not everyone can do that. Some batters only play on the offside, but he does it with control. That is his greatest strength. When you watch him, he is pleasing to the eye because there is control in his mind and body to do what he wants.”