India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has called for continued aggressive cricket in ODIs, following the team’s success in T20s. However, Ravichandran Ashwin believes Virat Kohli’s stabilizing presence is crucial for balancing the aggressive strategy, especially with players like Rohit Sharma and Kohli struggling for form.

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• Gautam Gambhir wants India to maintain aggressive cricket in ODIs, similar to their T20 success.
• Ashwin believes Virat Kohli should play a stabilizing role between aggressive opening batting and finishing in ODIs.
• Rohit Sharma’s aggressive batting in the 2023 World Cup and 2024 T20 World Cup is seen as key to India’s success.
• Ashwin expects Kohli to take on the role similar to Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh in T20Is, bridging the aggressive and stable play.
• Despite struggles in recent formats, Ashwin is confident that Kohli can return to form in the 50-over format.
• Kohli was India’s leading run-scorer in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where India reached the final.
• Ashwin urges Kohli to play to his strengths, as he is a vital player in the 50-over format.
• Ashwin also questions why there is hurry in ODIs and emphasizes playing to the strengths of the format.
• India will play three ODIs against England starting February 6 in Nagpur before turning attention to the Champions Trophy.
• India is in Group A of the Champions Trophy alongside New Zealand, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, with their first match on February 20.