'Used to be aggressive as captain': Aakash Chopra calls Rohit Sharma's batting 'slow', might be time for Yashasvi Jaiswal in ODIs

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'Used to be aggressive as captain': Aakash Chopra calls Rohit Sharma's batting 'slow', might be time for Yashasvi Jaiswal in ODIs originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:​

• Aakash Chopra says Rohit Sharma's batting has turned noticeably slower and more cautious.
• The management is reportedly unhappy with Rohit's approach since losing the ODI captaincy.
• Chopra wants Rohit to sign off with a century at Lord's.

Aakash Chopra labels Rohit Sharma's batting 'slow', suggests Yashasvi Jaiswal's time may have arrived​

Former opener and commentator Aakash Chopra has added his voice to the growing chorus suggesting India might be better off handing Yashasvi Jaiswal a proper run in the ODI side, describing Rohit Sharma's current batting style as noticeably sluggish compared to his glory days.

Ever since Shubman Gill took charge of the ODI unit following India's Champions Trophy triumph last March, Rohit's returns with the bat haven't impressed the think tank.

MORE: Rumours swirl as Rohit Sharma tipped to retire at Lord's

It has already come to light that worries about his fitness and how long he could realistically continue were shared with the board even before the squad for the Afghanistan series was finalised.

The selectors questioned whether he'd hold his place by the time the World Cup arrives, given he'll be past 40 by then. They believe that his batting has visibly transformed since the Champions Trophy campaign.

In their opinion, Rohit has turned far more deliberate and unhurried, and the team management now reportedly feels he requires almost three matches into any series before finding his groove.

MORE: From Belfast to Lord's: Rohit's glittering ODI career for India detailed

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Aakash Chopra breaks down Rohit's numbers, yet labels him slow​

Chopra pointed out that Rohit is already 39 and will turn 40 next year, while the next World Cup remains roughly eighteen months away, meaning he'd be well past that age by the tournament. He argued that if the team wants to transition toward fresh talent in the ODI setup, the window for that shift is now.

"Rohit Sharma is 39 years old, man. He will be 40 next year. The World Cup is still some distance away. Actually, I mean, it's a year and a half away, so he'll be over 40," he said on his YouTube channel, Akasvani.

"If the Indian team has to pivot from the perspective of ODI cricket, if they have to move towards someone else, this is the time."

MORE: Rohit OUT Jaiswal IN: Fans want Yashasvi to grab India ODI opening spot

Chopra was, however, fair in acknowledging that Rohit's output since the Champions Trophy hasn't been disastrous, pointing to a half-century in that final, followed by a hundred and a seventy in Australia, then a few more fifties, before a quieter outing against New Zealand.

He conceded the numbers aren't spectacular but aren't poor either. What has genuinely shifted, in his view, is the tempo, as he believes Rohit now bats far more cautiously than the free-flowing captain who used to dominate powerplays with fours and sixes.

"One thing has definitely changed: his style of playing has changed a bit, that now you play slowly," he said.

"Earlier, what was it? When you were the captain, you hit a lot, you kept going continuously. But now you have started playing a little slowly."

A heartfelt send-off wish to Rohit Sharma​

Chopra acknowledged that not every great career gets the storybook ending it deserves, noting how rare it truly is for players to bow out on their own terms with a fitting farewell innings. Still, he expressed hope that, if this truly is Rohit's final ODI, the veteran would find a way to make it memorable.

"The match is at Lord's, play exactly like a Lord, and say goodbye ruling ODI cricket exactly the way you have ruled it for the longest period of time, man," he said.

MORE: Rohit Sharma's ODI retirement appears to be a reality as parents reportedly reach London

"Because see, all stories don't end in a fairytale. It happens, some people rarely get it. Very few people actually get that farewell story. But if you've been told, then score runs, man. Make this match yours before leaving, score a 100, man."

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