Will India, under Shubman Gill, continue on the aggressive template set by Rohit Sharma in ODIs?

As Shubman Gill takes charge of India’s ODI side, the big question remains — will he continue Rohit Sharma’s attacking template?

In modern-day ODI cricket, the first 10 overs often define the tone of a match. Since early 2023, India and Australia have reshaped this phase — replacing caution with intent. Both teams realised the value of attacking early, forcing bowlers on the back foot from the very first over.

For India, this transformation began under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, who, along with Shubman Gill, turned the powerplay from a survival zone into a scoring platform. Now, with Gill stepping into a leadership role, one big question emerges — will India continue Rohit’s fearless approach, or will Gill bring his own calm, calculated twist?

Rohit Sharma: Captain who changed India’s ODI tempo
Rohit Sharma’s captaincy marked a shift from conservative starts to controlled aggression. Under him, India stopped “building slowly” and instead looked to dominate early. The openers — mainly Rohit and Gill — began operating at a strike rate above 100 inside the first 10 overs, a big jump from India’s more measured starts in the late 2010s.

Rohit’s philosophy was simple yet bold:
“If you start fast, you control the rhythm of the game.”

Even when early wickets fell, the opposition already felt the pressure. It wasn’t about recklessness — it was about intent and confidence.

Read More: Since 2023, India have struck at SR of 100.26 in PP1 in ODIs, bettered only by Australia (107.05)

Powerplay (1–10 overs) performance since Jan 2023
India and Australia’s team numbers highlight how both sides have prioritised aggression in the first 10 overs.

India’s higher average shows their controlled approach — attacking fast without compromising stability. Australia may score quicker, but India’s balance proves Rohit’s strategy was effective.

Rohit Sharma: Leading by example
For Rohit Sharma, the first 10 overs weren’t about surviving the swing — they were about setting a statement. He often took on the new ball himself, ensuring India dictated terms early.

Since the start of 2023, Rohit has produced astonishing powerplay numbers — 1,146 runs off 935 balls in 36 innings, averaging 67.4 with a strike rate of 122.6. That’s rare consistency for someone who bats with such intent, proving that aggression can coexist with stability.

India, as a team, followed that mindset. In ODIs since January 2023, they have maintained a powerplay strike rate of 100.26 with an average of 57.17. Even in defeats, the approach barely changed — 97.22 strike rate in losses vs. 101.93 in wins. This shows it was more than a tactic; it was an identity.

Shubman Gill: Heir to this bold legacy
Now, as Shubman Gill takes on more leadership responsibility, the focus shifts to continuity. Gill has been Rohit’s closest partner in this evolution — part of a system that rewards intent but values balance.

However, Gill’s natural style is distinct. Where Rohit imposes himself early, Gill builds rhythm through timing and placement. He’s technically assured, calmer, and prefers pressure through precision rather than power. That contrast sets up the next phase of India’s ODI identity.

Read More: Expectations from India’s new ODI skipper, Shubman Gill

Continuity with touch of change
Shubman Gill is unlikely to abandon Rohit’s aggressive blueprint — it’s now ingrained in the team’s culture. Since 2023, India’s powerplay strike rate has stayed above 100, even in losses, proving this mindset is not dependent on one leader.

What might change is how that aggression is applied. Expect Gill’s India to read conditions better — steady on green pitches, explosive on flat ones. While Rohit’s focus was on “starting fast,” Gill might aim for sustained control throughout the innings.

If Rohit was about setting the tone, Gill might be about maintaining it.

Comparing India and Australia’s opening partnerships (since Jan 2023)

Australia’s openers go harder, but India’s higher average proves their approach is more consistent and sustainable — exactly what Rohit envisioned.

Read More: Rohit (1714) & Virat (1710) are the fifth & sixth-highest run-scorers in ODIs from 2023 onwards

India vs Australia: Two styles of aggression

Australia’s massive drop in defeats shows volatility; India’s smaller gap reflects consistency — proof of Rohit’s structured aggression.

Leadership styles: Fire vs Focus
Rohit Sharma’s captaincy thrived on visible passion — gestures, energy, and instinctive decision-making. That emotion reignited India’s ODI confidence after 2022.

Shubman Gill’s leadership, by contrast, is quiet and methodical. He observes more, reacts less, and lets results speak. This composure might lead to more measured starts in tough conditions — but the intent will remain. Gill’s aggression will come through timing, not just power.

Solid foundation to build on
Fortunately for India, Shubman Gill steps into a leadership role within a clearly structured and well-established system. The top order — Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli — understands their rhythm. The middle order (Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya) knows how to capitalize on brisk starts. Even the bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, have benefitted from that aggressive mindset — attacking early, defending big totals confidently.

Gill’s task isn’t to rebuild. It’s to refine — keeping the aggression alive, but adding his own calm authority.

Read More: Shubman Gill – The ODI run-machine: What makes him tick in the 50-overs game?

The road ahead
As Team India embarks on a new ODI cycle leading to the 2027 World Cup, this handover between Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill is more than a change in leadership — it’s a transition of ideology. Rohit’s vision made India fearless at the top; Gill’s challenge is to make that fearlessness sustainable. If Gill maintains that aggressive clarity while adding his tactical calm, India could evolve into the most complete ODI batting unit in world cricket.

Conclusion
Rohit Sharma’s captaincy redefined India’s ODI heartbeat — fast, confident, and fearless. He turned the powerplay into a statement of intent. Now, Shubman Gill’s role is to nurture that identity — to keep the aggression, but channel it with composure.

Rohit lit the fire. Gill must keep it burning — steady, bright, and strong enough to define India’s next ODI era.

Read More: Major threats for India in Australia’s ODI squad for the series down under