Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has praised Rohit Sharma for spearheading India’s aggressive batting style in their recent victory over Bangladesh in the Kanpur Test. He firmly believes that Rohit deserves full credit for setting this dynamic tone, especially as India adapted to challenging weather conditions.
The first day of the Test saw just 35 overs of play before rain interrupted the match for two consecutive days, leaving spectators concerned about a potential draw. However, after Bangladesh was bowled out for 233 in their first innings, India exploded with the bat, shattering multiple records for the fastest team scores—50, 100, 150, 200, and 250—in Test cricket history.
With a 52-run lead established, India quickly dismissed Bangladesh for just 146 runs in their second innings. Chasing a target of 95 runs, India achieved this in just 17.2 overs, losing only three wickets.
In his column, Gavaskar highlighted the contrasting perspectives on India's aggressive batting style. He noted that while some media outlets labeled it "Bossball," recognizing Rohit as the team's captain, others referred to it as "Gamball," crediting the Indian coach, Gautam Gambhir. He remarked that Rohit has consistently exhibited this style of play for years, unlike Gambhir, whose coaching tenure has been brief.
“Gambhir has only been coaching for a couple of months, so attributing this approach to him is foot-licking of the highest quality,” Gavaskar wrote. “Gambhir himself hardly ever batted in this fashion like McCullum used to do. If any credit is due, it is solely to Rohit and nobody else.”
Gavaskar further suggested that instead of referring to the style as "Bazball," which denotes England's aggressive approach under coach Brendon McCullum, it might be better to term it the “Gohit” approach, named after Rohit.
He praised both Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal for their contributions during the innings. Jaiswal kicked off India's innings with three consecutive boundaries, but it was Rohit who truly unsettled the Bangladesh bowlers. Gavaskar noted, “The first two deliveries he faced were smashed for sixes, and the innings gained momentum at breakneck speed from thereon.” Rohit’s bold shot selection, including a powerful six off his very first delivery, put the opposition on the back foot.
Overall, Gavaskar's remarks underscore Rohit Sharma’s pivotal role in shaping India’s aggressive play style, reflecting a shift in their approach to Test cricket.
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