Ravichandran Ashwin Lauds This Player’s Contribution For India’s ODI Transformation

The former Indian spin all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has praised captain Rohit Sharma for their incredible transformation in the ODI side for the last few years. He reckoned that the openers’ fearless batting has helped them to become the runners-up of the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup.

During the 50-over event at home, the right-handed batter finished as the second leading run-getter with 597 runs in 11 innings at an average of 54.27 and a strike rate of 125.94, with the help of three half-centuries and one century at the best score of 131.

Ravichandran Ashwin credits Rohit Sharma for India’s ODI transformation

The Tamil Nadu spinner feels that the Nagpur-born has always been selfless with his batting in the powerplay overs against the new ball.

Also Read: Ex-India Players Credit MS Dhoni For This Genius Tactic During 2013 Champions Trophy

“One thing that I admire the most about Rohit Sharma is that he is not selfish at all. He is one of the most selfless cricketers. If he would have been selfish, he would never have batted the way he is batting in the ODIs. He wouldn’t go after everything in the powerplay.” Ashwin expressed on his Hindu YouTube Channel ‘Ash ki Baat.’

“I have massive respect for Rohit Sharma. I am also very happy for Rohit, and I’m doubly glad that he is showing that this is the way forward. He is like I have scored runs, but it's business as usual. My one-day form was good. Let’s talk about other players who have made an impact. I love that quality of Rohit.” Ravichandran Ashwin addressed.

Even in the 2019 ODI World Cup in England, when the blue brigade finished in the semifinal against New Zealand, the Nagpur-born cracked five centuries in the tournament.

“Rohit Sharma was the burning light of the candle”- Ravichandran Ashwin

The 37-year-old has grabbed 10988 runs in 260 ODI innings at an average of 49.05 and a strike rate of 92.69, thanks to 32 centuries and 57 half-centuries at the best score of 264 runs against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Even in the T20 World Cup 2024, the Mumbai batter cracked the second most runs of the competition with 257 runs in eight innings at an average of 36.71 and a strike rate of 156.70, shouldering on three half-centuries at the best score of 92.

“The thing is that the game has changed and evolved. It is important to realize that the game is bigger than all of us. I was watching an interview with Sachin Tendulkar where he spoke about the runout mishap between him and VVS Laxman. He spoke about how his brother taught him an important lesson about the way he responded after getting out.” Ravichandran Ashwin highlighted.

Also Read: RCB Faces Major Injury Blow In WPL 2025; Report Reveals Potential Replacement

“In India, we have often seen players looking out for their averages stay not out, look at your scores, etc to keep an eye on their career records, average, and strike rate to cement their place in the teams.” The Chennai-born shed light.

Ravichandran Ashwin points out the revolution of ODIs

England, since being knocked out of the 2015 World Cup, changed their tactics and thumped a few big scores to celebrate the 2019 ODI World Cup. India also joined in the same battle and changed the way of playing the format, and the biggest step in it came from Rohit at the top.

“India was late to the party. And who showed the way ahead for the Indian team? It was Rohit Sharma. It took us eight years to change our style of play, Maybe, if we had changed in six, we might have won one more ICC trophy.” Ravichandran Ashwin concluded.