Gambhir Slams Rohit Sharma Critics Ahead of Final: ‘We Judge by Impact, Not Stats’

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As India storms into the Champions Trophy 2025 final, Gautam Gambhir slams Rohit Sharma critics ahead of final, hitting back at those questioning the Indian captain’s form and future. The India head coach defended Rohit’s aggressive approach, emphasizing that his impact on the team outweighs mere statistics.

Despite scoring only 84 runs in three matches during the Champions Trophy 2025, Rohit Sharma’s leadership and fearless intent have been pivotal for India’s strategy. However, criticism surrounding his batting performances has intensified ahead of the final.

“You evaluate from the stats; we evaluate from the impact. That’s the difference,” Gambhir stated after India’s semi-final victory over Australia.

With India now preparing for the final, Gambhir slams Rohit Sharma critics ahead of final, making it clear that India’s captain is judged on his leadership, mindset, and intent, rather than the raw numbers on the scoreboard.

Gambhir Slams Rohit Sharma Critics Ahead of Final: Why the Debate?

Despite leading India to multiple ICC finals, Rohit Sharma’s form has been under scrutiny due to:

  • Only three ODI centuries in the last five years
  • No big scores in Champions Trophy 2025 (84 runs in 3 innings)
  • Recent struggles in Test cricket, sparking debate about his international future

However, Gambhir slams Rohit Sharma critics ahead of final, arguing that his captain has played a crucial role in India’s success, setting the right tone in powerplays and giving confidence to the middle order.

“If your captain bats with such a tempo, it sends a very good signal to the dressing room. We want to be absolutely fearless and courageous,” Gambhir added.

Rohit Sharma’s Impact: Why Performance Matters Beyond Stats

1. Change in Batting Approach

Since the 2023 World Cup, Rohit Sharma has deliberately changed his style, focusing on:

  • Taking early risks to dominate bowlers in powerplays
  • Maintaining an aggressive mindset rather than playing a long anchoring role
  • Creating momentum so that middle-order batters like Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer can consolidate

Although this approach has resulted in fewer centuries, it has ensured that India remains aggressive from the start, preventing the opposition from settling in.

2. Rohit’s Role as a Leader

Gambhir slams Rohit Sharma critics ahead of final, stating that the team values Rohit’s aggressive batting and ability to instill confidence in his teammates.

✔ Provides an aggressive start, forcing bowlers onto the back foot early
✔ Allows middle-order players to play with less pressure
✔ Encourages India to play attacking cricket without fear of failure

“As journalists and experts, you only look at numbers and averages. But as a team, we don’t look at stats. We look at impact,” Gambhir asserted.

India’s Path to the Champions Trophy Final

Semi-Final vs Australia: A Commanding Performance

India defeated Australia by four wickets, successfully chasing 265 on a challenging Dubai surface.

🏏 Top Performers in the Semi-Final:

✔ Virat Kohli – 84 off 98 (anchored the chase)
✔ Shreyas Iyer & KL Rahul – Supported in middle overs
✔ Mohammed Shami & Varun Chakaravarthy – Restricting Australia’s total below par

India’s dominant performance highlighted their balanced squad strength, making them the team to beat in the final.

‘We Still Haven’t Played a Perfect Game’ – Gambhir on India’s Performance

Despite India’s flawless campaign so far, Gambhir slams Rohit Sharma critics ahead of final, stating that there is always room for improvement.

“There’s always room to improve. There’s always something to refine, whether in batting, fielding, or bowling,” Gambhir commented.

Key Areas for India to Improve Before the Final:

🔹 Middle-over bowling execution needs to be tighter
🔹 Openers (including Rohit Sharma) need to convert starts into big scores
🔹 Fielding intensity must remain sharp in high-pressure moments

“We still have one more game to go. Hopefully, we can play a perfect game in the final,” Gambhir added.

Who Will India Face in the Final?

India’s final opponent will be determined by the second semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand, taking place in Lahore on March 5.

🔹 Potential Opponents:
✔ South Africa – Unbeaten team with a dominant pace attack
✔ New Zealand – Experienced squad known for excelling in knockout matches

Regardless of who qualifies, India will enter the final as the favorites, aiming to win another ICC trophy under Rohit Sharma’s leadership.

Final Thoughts: Gambhir Slams Rohit Sharma Critics Ahead of Final

With Gambhir slams Rohit Sharma critics ahead of final, the message from India’s camp is clear:

✔ Leadership and impact are more valuable than statistics.
✔ Rohit Sharma’s aggressive approach is crucial for India’s success.
✔ India is focused on delivering a flawless performance in the final.

While questions remain over Rohit’s individual scores, Gambhir has reinforced the team’s belief in his leadership. As India prepares for the Champions Trophy final, Rohit Sharma has the perfect stage to answer his critics with a match-winning performance.

Can Rohit Sharma silence his doubters and lead India to another ICC trophy? The world will be watching.

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