Champions Trophy 2025 Final: Gavaskar Questions Rohit’s Approach, Says 25-30 Runs Not Enough!

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Champions Trophy 2025 Final: As India gears up for the much-anticipated Champions Trophy 2025 final, legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has not minced his words in criticising skipper Rohit Sharma’s recent performances.

With scores of 20, 15, and 28 against Pakistan, New Zealand, and Australia respectively, Rohit has struggled to convert his aggressive starts into substantial innings—something Gavaskar believes could be the key to India’s success.

"You Shouldn’t Be!" – Gavaskar’s Stern Advice to Rohit

Gavaskar, known for his no-nonsense analysis, has urged Rohit to rethink his approach and focus on building longer innings instead of being content with quick-fire 20s and 30s. His highest score in the tournament so far has been 41 against Bangladesh, which, according to the former batting great, is not good enough for a player of his calibre.

"If he (Rohit Sharma) bats for even 25 overs, India will be around 180-200. Imagine if they have lost only a couple of wickets by then; just think what they could do. They could reach 350 or more," Gavaskar told India Today.

Aggression vs Discretion: Finding the Right Balance

Rohit’s ultra-attacking mindset at the top has been a double-edged sword—while it gives India a flying start, it has also led to his early dismissals. Gavaskar believes the Indian captain needs to strike a balance between aggression and discretion to truly make an impact in the final.

"He also needs to give it some thought. It’s one thing to go out and play aggressively, but there has to be a bit of discretion somewhere to give himself the chance to bat for 25-30 overs. If he does that, he takes the game away from the opposition. That kind of impact is match-winning," Gavaskar remarked.

The batting maestro also questioned whether Rohit himself is satisfied with these brief cameos.

"And I think, as a batter, are you happy with scoring 25-30 runs? You shouldn’t be! So that is what I would say to him: your impact on the team will be even greater if you bat for 25 overs instead of just seven, eight, or nine overs," he added.

Nasser Hussain Fancies New Zealand’s Chances

While Gavaskar has put the spotlight on Rohit, former England captain Nasser Hussain has thrown his weight behind New Zealand, backing them to go all the way in the final against India on Sunday.

The Kiwis, who faced India in their last group-stage clash in Dubai, have earned praise for their ability to handle pressure in crunch games. Hussain dismissed any suggestions of New Zealand "choking" in the big moments, emphasising their mental strength and resilience.

"They will not bottle it, they won't choke. We were having dinner with [former Australia batter] Aaron Finch and he summed it up pretty well in saying New Zealand are never a side that beat themselves. And by that, he means that they will rock up, and they will put in a performance," Hussain told Sky Sports.

He further lauded New Zealand’s consistency on the big stage:

"All the way through the New Zealand lineup they have some very, very tough cricketers who turn up to every single game and give it their absolute best—that's why they will always be there around semi-finals and finals."

With the final just around the corner, all eyes will be on Rohit Sharma. Will he heed Gavaskar’s advice and anchor India to a massive total, or will his aggressive intent backfire once again? The stage is set for a thrilling finale, and whether it’s India’s firepower or New Zealand’s resilience that triumphs, one thing is certain—cricket fans are in for a blockbuster contest!