”We’re going to have a change. It’s one thing doing that, and another thing walking to walk”, a devastated Rohit Sharma had told the veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik after the Indian team got brutally dismantled by England in the semifinals of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Adelaide.
India, while batting first, posted a total of 169/6 in 20 overs, which eventually proved to be well below par as the English openers Jos Buttler (80*) and Alex Hales (86*) stitched a historical first-wicket partnership and guided England to a victory by 10 wickets in just 16 overs.
Rohit Sharma, who himself underperformed in that World Cup, scored just 116 runs in 6 innings, averaging just 19.33 with a strike rate of 106.42. After scoring 27 runs in 28 deliveries in the semifinals, the Indian skipper firmly believed that a change was required in the Indian white ball side, as there is no room for meek, timid cricket.
Rohit Sharma’s change in approach: From 2022 to 2025
After this humiliation in the 2022 T20 World Cup, the next big step for the Indian side was the 2023 ODI World Cup at home.
Right from the beginning, Rohit led from the front and gave a clear signal to the team of his adamance to adopt the new approach. In the second game against Afghanistan, he showed his new approach of fearless batting by smashing a 63-ball 100, making a statement about his selfless batting, helping the team chase 273 in just 35 overs.
Throughout the tournament, Rohit was consistent in providing fiery starts to the team with the help of his selfless approach. Irrespective of batting surfaces, where other batters used to struggle, Rohit made sure that India was provided with an aggressive start during the powerplay.
The impact of Rohit’s fearless batting on India’s success
Although India lost the finals against Australia, it was a tournament that redefined the way white-ball cricket is played in India. He ended the tournament as the second-highest scorer in the tournament with 597 runs in 11 innings, with 3 fifties and 1 century. He also had an exceptional strike rate of 125.94, which was highest among the top-10 run scorers of the tournament.
In 2024, Rohit helped India end Team India’s 11-year ICC trophy drought by leading the side to victory in the T20 World Cup, held in the USA and the West Indies.
Rohit played a pivotal role throughout the tournament, playing several iconic innings. One of his standout innings came against Australia, where he smashed 92 runs off just 41 balls, an explosive knock that virtually knocked the Aussies out of the competition.
In the semifinal against England, he once again scored a crucial 57 off 39 balls at a strike rate of 146.15, which was also the highest score of that match. Rohit finished the tournament as the second-highest run-scorer overall and the top Indian batter, smashing 257 runs in 8 innings at an average of 36 and an impressive strike rate of over 155.
Rohit’s captaincy: leading India to multiple ICC trophy wins
In a tournament where most Indian batters struggled with strike rates in the 130–140 range, Rohit’s fearless and selfless approach played a defining factor in India lifting the T20 World Cup after 17 long years.
More history followed as the Rohit-led Indian team stamped their authority with aggressive and positive cricket to claim their second ICC trophy in 9 months. After guiding India to glory in the T20 World Cup in June 2024, he once again made the nation proud by leading the Men in Blues to a historic victory in the Champions Trophy in March 2025, ending a 12-year drought in the tournament.
Throughout the Champions Trophy campaign, Rohit led from the front, providing quick starts. He played short yet impactful innings during the powerplay. He also managed his bowling unit with perfection, from smart bowling rotations to sharp field placements, he was spot on.
Under his leadership, India regularly restricted opponents to totals around 250 or below, which the batting unit chased down comfortably. In the final against New Zealand, chasing 252 on a challenging surface, Rohit played one of the most significant knocks of his career. He scored an important 76 off 83 deliveries that played a major role in India’s successful chase, which was completed in 49 overs, clinching a memorable title win.
Rohit, who is celebrating his 38th birthday today (April 30, 2025), has walked the talk in kick-starting India’s white-ball revolution, which will serve as an inspiration for India’s future captains.
On his 38th birthday, let’s take a look at Indian skipper Rohit Sharma’s remarkable journey of transformation as a cricketer and captain. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
