Former wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has revealed that Rohit Sharma played a key role in shaping India’s aggressive batting approach in white-ball cricket. Karthik also stated that the attacking mindset was missing in knockout matches at ICC tournaments, where the Men in Blue had played a safe game.

After India’s semifinal loss to England in the 2022 T20 World Cup, Rohit accepted that the batting approach in white-ball cricket was close to becoming outdated. Rohit led the shift himself by attacking early and taking risks from the start. This aggressive mindset soon became the Indian team’s new style.

It played a key role in India’s performances at the 2023 ODI World Cup, the 2024 T20 World Cup, and last year’s Champions Trophy. The Men in Blue are currently playing in the T20 World Cup 2026 as they look to defend their title. This approach, which has been passed on by Rohit, will continue to haunt opponents, including Pakistan, in the T20 World Cup 2026.

Initiated by Rohit Sharma - Dinesh Karthik on India’s Aggressive T20I Template

Speaking on Cricbuzz, Dinesh Karthik stated that India were fearless in bilateral series before 2022. However, he pointed out that the same intent was missing in knockout matches. He said that Rohit Sharma pushed the team to adopt the same attacking mindset in big games as well.

“Interesting, up until 2022, that semifinal, we were fantastic in bilaterals. We would go hard and do whatever it took to win — chase 200, bat first and score 240, 220, 230," Karthik said.

"But in knockout games, it was almost like we froze. We started playing much safer than we could, and that became a habit for some time. That habit was definitely broken and initiated by Rohit Sharma," he added.

Who's the brain behind India's aggressive T20I template❓@DineshKarthik spills the beans, on #CricbuzzLive#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/k9OMFnhGCd

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) February 14, 2026

Rohit Shama Did A Phenomenal Job - Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik said that Rohit Sharma took responsibility for changing India’s batting approach. He stated that Rohit wanted the team to play with the same aggressive intent seen in bilateral series, even if it meant losing early wickets or risking defeat.

"He (Rohit Sharma) did a phenomenal job and almost took it upon himself to say, ‘No, we should play the way we play bilaterals — go hard.’"

"Even if it meant losing a few wickets or even losing the game, he felt it was better to go hard and post a score that was above par, or at least close to par, rather than undersell ourselves and not give our bowlers a chance," Karthik continued.

Rohit Sharma Walked the Walk and the Rest Followed - Dinesh Karthik

The cricketer-turned-commentator said that India’s batting mindset changed after the Adelaide semifinal defeat. Karthik stated that Rohit went hard in the league games of the 2023 World Cup and pushed even harder in the semifinals and final, setting the example for the rest of the team.

"He initiated it because he was opening the innings. He went hard himself and made it a habit. That shift came after the Adelaide semifinal, and then you saw it clearly in the 2023 World Cup. He went hard in the league stages, but in the big games — semis and finals — he went even harder. He doubled down and said, ‘Here we go,’ and he walked the walk. The rest followed."

"Now Surya has taken over from that. He has almost told the Indian team, ‘This is how we will play, whether it’s bilaterals or the World Cup.’ This is the template going forward. Not just for big games — every game. There has been a clear shift in attitude in how we play.”