India vs New Zealand: Rohit Sharma's low scores not a concern but absence of fearless approach is worrying

Cricket is a funny game, very unpredictable as well. Rohit Sharma ended 2025 in style, ranked no.1 in the ICC ODI batting rankings. The former Indian captain had just completed two successful ODI series in a row and looked to be in fluent touch. However, 2026 hasn't begun well and Rohit ended with low scores in all three matches of the New Zealand series.

Scores of 26, 24 and 11 are not what you expect from a veteran batter but more than the lack of runs this series, it's Rohit's apparent change in approach. Over the last few years, Rohit had put a stamp of high intent approach as his method to batting, regardless of whether it is in a T20I or ODI. After quitting the shortest format with World Cup glory in 2024, Rohit continued the same tempo for ODIs well.

In fact, even in 2025, Rohit continued with his approach of taking the bowlers on in the first ten overs, allowing his younger partner Shubman Gill to take his own time. However, in all the three ODIs against New Zealand, there seemed to be a conscious approach from Rohit to take some time early on. Yes, the big shots were still there but the approach was certainly tempered.

It means that Rohit is eyeing to make some big runs, something he did for fun from 2013-2022 before flipping a switch in 2023. The 38-year-old's mindset change was a massive turning point, not just for himself but also for the Indian team which has gone on to play fearless cricket in white-ball cricket.

Rohit will be 40 by the time the 2027 ODI World Cup starts and while that tournament is still a year-and-a-half away, the Mumbai batter must realise that going back to his trademark batting approach will not work. Not in modern day ODI cricket with scores getting higher and batters getting mightier in approach. Rohit doesn't need any reminding of this - after all, it is this realisation that changed him.

The one argument in Rohit's defence is that the pitches in South Africa have never been ultra-flat like other cricketing countries and perhaps, the surfaces for next year's World Cup may not demand ultra-aggressive batting. The matches leading up to that mega event, however, will have plenty of games on flat tracks and Rohit in his quest for big runs must not forego his 'fearless cricket' template.

For now, one poor series doesn't really mean a lot. India still have 15 ODIs left in 2026 but they don't play a 50-over game till June. It's these long breaks that will test Rohit's mindset as he only plays one format. There will be pressure no doubt with Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar both having constantly maintained the need to inject youth for the next World Cup.

That pressure is also there on the other veteran Virat Kohli but he seems to have rediscovered the best version of his white-ball batting with everything flowing seamlessly. It's almost as if Kohli doesn't feel any mental baggage anymore and that is showing in his gameplay. Rohit too needs to get his focus back on aggressive batting and not try to change anything as that could be fatal.