Rohit Sharma’s aggressive approach in powerplay panics opposition before game even starts, says Aaron Finch

Cricketing stalwarts weighed in on the dynamic leadership and aggressive playing style of India's captain, Rohit Sharma. Former Australia cricketers Aaron Finch and Matthew Hayden provided insights into Rohit's strategy, highlighting his determination to secure quick starts in the powerplay, exploiting the slowing wickets as the tournament progresses.

Finch emphasized how Rohit's approach induces panic in opposition bowlers, setting the stage for India's brilliant starts, while Hayden commended the opener's aggression for creating a platform that allows the middle order, especially Virat Kohli, to flourish. Adding to the chorus of acclaim, former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir lauded Rohit's unwavering leadership, citing his ability to instill a sense of security in the dressing room, a crucial factor in India's success and a testament to Rohit's exemplary captaincy. 

Speaking exclusively to Star Sports, former Australia cricketer Aaron Finch spoke on Rohit Sharma’s aggressive approach in the powerplay, he said "The thought process behind Rohit is he's trying to get the team off to a quick start. You see, the wicket tends to get slower as the tournament has gone on. So, that initial powerplay to put pressure on the opposition is really crucial. I think what that’s done is it's changed the bowler's mindset before the game has even started, knowing that Rohit’s going to come really hard at them. They start panicking a bit and maybe go into a defensive mode early on, and that plays into his hands as India has gotten off to some brilliant starts.”

Former Australia cricketer Matthew Hayden spoke on how Rohit’s aggressive approach has helped the middle order flourish, he said “Rohit Sharma has been really aggressive in this World Cup tournament. When you think about the mindset of what that means for his side, one is he has made the batting look easy, and two is he has a strike rate of 130 inside the powerplay. That has allowed the middle order, especially Virat Kohli, to just set out and put on that computer brain of his and work out exactly what needs to happen. He’s been a marquee player for India for some time, missed out in 2011, mind you, come 2023 he is not missing out.”

Gautam Gambhir lauded the leadership skills of Rohit Sharma, he said “Look, there is nothing which has changed from 2019 to 2023. There were so many changes that happened in 2019 as compared to the least amount of changes that has happened in 2023. A good captain and leader give you security, which makes the dressing room secure, not only for himself but for the other 14 players as well. And Rohit Sharma has done that. That’s why he has won five IPL trophies; that’s where his winning ratio when he started playing all those international games has been fabulous. If you go by the stats and the trophies, he ticks all the boxes.

But the most important thing is he has made that dressing room a very secure dressing room. When the captain comes out and talks in his post-match presentation that he believes in his players and gives them longer runs, it makes you believe how much your captain is backing you. And that is the difference between Rohit Sharma as a leader, compared to some other captains that have captained previously for India."