Why would Rohit Sharma torment his father?

Former wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik has revealed that Rohit Sharma has played a key role in shaping India’s attacking batting in white-ball cricket. Karthik also said that the attacking mentality was missing in the knockout matches in ICC tournaments, where the Men in Blue played a safe game.

After India’s semi-final defeat to England in the 2022 T20 World Cup, Rohit admitted that the style of batting in white-ball cricket was close to becoming obsolete. Rohit led the innings by attacking early and taking risks right from the start. This aggressive mentality soon became the new style of the Indian team.

It played a key role in India’s performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup, 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 down by Rohit, will continue to trouble opponents including Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2026.

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Initiative by Rohit Sharma-Dinesh Karthik on India’s aggressive T20I template

Speaking on Cricbuzz, Dinesh Karthik said that India were fearless in the bilateral series before 2022. However, he pointed out that the same intention was missing in the knockout matches. He said that Rohit Sharma inspired the team to adopt the same aggressive mentality in big matches also.

“Interestingly, till 2022, till that semi-final, we were brilliant in bilateral matches. We will work hard and do whatever it takes to win – chase 200, bat first and score 240, 220, 230,” Karthik said.

He said, “But in the knockout games, it was almost like we were frozen. We started playing much safer than we could have done and it became a habit for a while. That habit was definitely broken and started by Rohit Sharma.”

Who is the brain behind India’s aggressive T20I template?@dineshkarthik Spills the beans, but #CricbuzzLive#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/k9OMFnhGCd

– Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) 14 February 2026

Rohit Shama did an amazing job – Dinesh Karthik

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

“He (Rohit Sharma) did an amazing job and almost took it upon himself to say, ‘No, we should play the way we play bilateral matches – work hard.'”

Rohit Sharma walked on the walk and others followed him – Dinesh Karthik

The cricketer-turned-commentator said that India’s batting mentality changed after the loss in the Adelaide semi-finals. Karthik said Rohit worked hard in the league games of the 2023 World Cup and worked even harder in the semi-finals and final, setting an example for the rest of the team.

“He started it because he was opening the innings. He worked hard himself and made it a habit. The change came after the Adelaide semi-final, and then you saw it clearly in the 2023 World Cup. In the league stage he worked hard, but in the big games – the semi-finals and the final – he went even harder. He doubled up and said, ‘Here we go,’ and he walked off. The rest of the guys walked away.”

“Now Surya has taken charge of it. He has almost told the Indian team, ‘We will play like this, whether it is bilateral matches or the World Cup.’ This is a template going forward. Not just for big games – for every game. There has been a clear change in attitude in the way we play.”