World Cup 2023: Rohit has encouraged batters to play their shots – Sanjay Bangar praises Indian skipper

Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar has heaped praise on Indian skipper Rohit Sharma for getting the best out of his players. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the Indian batters have adopted a more aggressive approach.

India has been ticking the right boxes as a unit and they are coming up with collective efforts. The hosts have also won both of their World Cup matches against Australia and Afghanistan.

Rohit has himself led from the front as he scored a 63-ball century in the match against Afghanistan, the fastest World Cup hundred for an Indian batter. The veteran batter went on to score 131 runs off just 84 balls with the help of 16 fours and five sixes.

Speaking to Star Sports, Sanjay Bangar said, “If a player is hesitant to play his shots, then he will never be in a position to play according to his game plan. Rohit has encouraged them to play their shots, and told them at the most what’s going to happen is they are going to get out, nothing else.”

“And if it’s a bowler, the worst is probably he’ll go for a few extra runs. That helps the players to develop a mindset where one can tame their fears, and helps them play their natural game. So he gives them the advantage of believing in themselves, by giving them freedom and backing,” Bangar added.

Bangar added that India doesn’t have only two or three match-winners but at least five of them in the team.

“If one does get out playing bad shots in a couple of matches, it does hurt. Two players come to mind as the biggest example for this is Virender Sehwag. When he used to play his shots he looked fabulous, but he even got out playing unusual strokes. Rishabh Pant is also very similar. If that kind of mindset is developed amongst all players in the team, we’ll have not 2 or 3, but more than 5 match winners,” Bangar said.

India will play their next match against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Saturday.