Deep Dasgupta explains Rohit Sharma’s legacy in ODIs

Former Indian wicket-keeper Deep Dasgupta feels Rohit Sharma has played a key role in changing India’s mindset regarding their white-ball game. Since the 2023 World Cup, Rohit has adopted an aggressive approach at the top of the order, which has allowed other batters to take their time.

Rohit played a key role in taking India to the final of the ODI World Cup 2023, scoring 597 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 125.95 and an average of 54.27.

Furthermore, Rohit adopted the same approach in the T20 World Cup 2024 and led from the front amassing 257 runs in eight matches at an average of 36.71 and a blistering strike rate of 156.71.

“Change the mindset of how kids in India, the next generation will play white-ball cricket and how we, as viewers, kind of consume ODI cricket or 20-over cricket and the effect of impact. We’ve stopped talking about sheer numbers nowadays. If you look at it, we talk about impact now and how impactful an innings was and that’s what I think Rohit has done as a leader, as a batter, showing the way to the rest of the guys, and he’s been absolutely phenomenal,” said Dasgupta on Star Sports.

On the other hand, the former Bengal player believes India is no longer dependent on the top three batters as the middle and lower-middle order is batting at their best. The likes of Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel have performed consistently for the team.

“For somebody who is known to score those daddy hundreds, double hundreds, to change his game. In 2019, 2020, I still remember India’s top three getting something like 65, 67 percent of the runs and we would be dependent on them to score those big runs.”

“But it’s not about them anymore. It’s now become a proper unit where everyone comes in and contributes. Virat Kohli is the glue. Keeps them together, Rohit gives them an explosive start, then Shreyas, Shubman, they all come in. Axar coming in at five and it’s phenomenal.”

“If you look at that team, and this has only happened because, as I mentioned, the legacy that Rohit has created for himself and going forward for white-ball cricket in India,” said Dasgupta.

Rohit would look to add the Champions Trophy crown to his glittering cabinet as India’s captain.