Needed a change in our attitude and approach – Rohit Sharma on India’s new batting style

Indian captain Rohit Sharma admitted that they needed a change in their attitude and approach after they were knocked out of the Super 12 stage in the previous T20 World Cup. Since the series against England, India has adopted a new revamped approach, which one believes was the need of the hour before the upcoming T20I showpiece.

The Indian batters are batting more aggressively now and the top-order batters are trying to make the most of the PowerPlay overs when only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle.

Rohit had earlier admitted that they are bound to fail at times with this new aggressive approach but they will not hit the panic button.

India had won the series against England by 2-1 and have taken an impregnable lead of 3-1 against West Indies, thus the new approach is working wonders for them.

Speaking exclusively on Star Sports show ‘Follow the Blues’, India skipper said, “We’ve made it very clear after the T20 World Cup in Dubai, where we didn’t qualify for the finals — that we felt there needed to be a change in our attitude and approach in how we play our game.”

“If the message is clear from the captain and the coach about where the team is trying to head, then the individuals will definitely try to do that. For that to happen they need freedom and clarity and that’s what we are trying to do. We are trying to give them as much freedom as possible.”

Rohit added that it is good to have young leaders within the group, who have the skills to keep their nerves in crunch situations. India has been led by a lot of young players in the recent past in the absence of Rohit Sharma. In fact, India has been led by six different captains in the last eight months.

Sharma said, “I know it’s very exciting honestly to create so many leaders around the team because it’s always a good sign. And you want the guys to handle the pressure, who understand the game and know each other really well. And when they are leading the team, all these things can happen.”

“I think it’s very important to have that leadership, but obviously, you know we play the IPL and it’s a 10- team tournament. So there will be 10 captains which at some stage will be a part of the Indian team as well. You know, I think it’s fantastic because honestly, my job is much lesser as these guys understand everything pretty well. So, it’s just about if someone’s having a thought, how am I going to back up that thought? For me as captain that is my role and that is what I’m trying to do,” he said.

Rohit also shared his thoughts on his bond with current head coach Rahul Dravid. The Indian skipper added that he and Dravid were on the same page when the latter joined as the chief coach of the team.

“With Rahul Bhai I have played some games with him as he was my first captain when I made my ODI debut. So, obviously, we have some kind of understanding. I spent a lot of time in the NCA when I was injured and he was there. We had regular chats happening all the time and he was closely following my game as well,” he said.

He said, “When he (Dravid) became a coach here, we met and sat together in a room for a while and decided how we want to take this thing forward and he was pretty much on the same thought process as to what I was thinking. That made it a little easier for me to give out a clear message to the boys because we don’t want to create confusion among the group; and of course, we wanted him to change the style of cricket as well. We wanted to play a certain way in all three formats and he was ready to accept all of that.”

India has taken a 3-1 lead against West Indies and they will next take part in the ODIs against Zimbabwe.