Sunil Gavaskar Advises Rohit Sharma to Play Longer Innings, Gambhir Defends Captain’s Approach

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has urged India captain Rohit Sharma to focus on building longer innings rather than settling for quick 30–40 run knocks. Gavaskar believes that Sharma, known for his fearless batting, could have an even greater impact if he bats for extended periods. He stated that Sharma’s aggressive approach in the first 10 overs of ODIs often carries a high risk of failure and suggested that the skipper should aim to bat for at least 25–30 overs.

“If he bats for 25 overs, India will likely be at 180–200 with only a couple of wickets down. That sets the stage for a massive total of 350 or more,” Gavaskar remarked. He added that Sharma’s immense talent and range of shots make him capable of dominating any opposition if he tempers his aggression with discretion.

However, Indian head coach GautamGambhir defended Sharma’s approach, emphasizing the importance of impact over statistics. “This is an approach Rohit has followed for the last two years. It has brought success, even if not consistently,” Gambhir said, adding that the team prioritizes match-winning contributions.

Sharma himself has acknowledged his high-risk style, which he adopted to boost India’s starts. While it has yielded results, balancing aggression with stability remains a key challenge for the Indian skipper.