I don’t like Rohit Sharma’s ultra-attacking batting approach: Aakash Chopra

Former Indian batter Aakash Chopra criticised Rohit Sharma for his “ultra-attacking” approach, following India’s defeat to Australia in the first T20I of the ongoing three-match series. Chopra reckons that the India captain has not been giving himself opportunities to bat for long. Rohit, in the first match, got out for 11 off nine deliveries, bringing up his fourth score of less than 30 in the last five T20I innings.

Rohit’s form with the bat has been one of the main concerns for the Indian team going into the T20 World Cup. In 2022, he has scored 434 runs in 18 T20Is with a below-par average of 25.52 and has only two fifties under his belt. This has been his worst calendar year in terms of average since 2014.

“I personally don’t like Rohit Sharma’s ultra-attacking approach,” said Chopra said on his YouTube channel. “He is selling himself short. If he bats for 40 balls, he will definitely score 75 runs. But is he giving himself that opportunity to bat that long? He is a special player and needs to take some time to get himself in."

KL Rahul showed that the only player who could stop him is himself: Chopra

“KL Rahul showed that the only player who could stop him is himself. He is an incredibly skillful batter and those two flick shots for six over the leg side were just unbelievable," Chopra added.

On a batting-friendly wicket in Mohali, Australia won the toss and put India to bat first. Rahul, at the top, laid the foundation with a well-made 55 off 35.

Suryakumar Yadav also chipped in with a blistering 46 off 25 balls. But it was Hardik Pandya who starred with the bat, scoring 71* off 30 balls and taking India to 208 in 20 overs. Australia, in reply, got off to a flyer, courtesy of Cameron Green, who scored 61 off 30, opening the innings. Australia, at one point, were cruising toward victory, but the hosts hit back with a few wickets in the middle. But in the end, wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade, with an unbeaten 45 off 21, took the game completely off India’s grasp and completed the chase in 19.2 overs.