Credit for India’s aggressive batting intent in white-ball cricket goes to Rohit Sharma, Rahul Dravid: R Ashwin

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has credited the duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for transforming India's white-ball cricket into a powerhouse. Dravid served as the head coach from late 2021 to June 2024.

Ashwin reckoned that the 20-over style approach, which has gradually seeped into the ODI team, was due to the collaboration of the Rohit-Dravid duo. He also pointed out that this dynamic nature has changed how ODI batting is perceived.

“Rohit as a captain has always been laying his stamp by showing the team what he wants from it. The transitional batting that India has gone through in T20 cricket and ODI cricket — the way we bat fast — a lot of credit for that goes to Rohit and Rahul bhai. They showed the way Rahul bhai said this is how we have to play and Rohit showed the way. Eventually, it has changed how Indians perceive batting. Batting is not average; it is purely strike rate in white-ball cricket,” stated Ashwin on his YouTube channel.

While speaking on how much time Rohit and Virat Kohli have in international cricket, their former teammate pleaded for their critics to enjoy whatever is left for two legends on the field. He said that the two should be cherished rather than scrutinised. 

“How much time we have to watch and enjoy Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma bat, please let’s do it because once they're done, we will hear people say ‘bring them back’. For however long they play, let us celebrate them. Life moves on very fast. Time does not wait for anyone. It is important that we realise that the time is less, so it is better that we enjoy whatever they are doing,” he added.

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India have tasted immense success in the limited-overs arena in the recent past. They won the T20 World Cup last year while they clinched two multi-team event titles in the form of ICC Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup in 2025.

The Men in Blue are currently engaged in the 50-over leg of the all-format home series against South Africa. They will take part in five T20Is against the same opposition from December 9 to December 19.