Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has called for a significant adjustment in Rohit Sharma’s batting approach ahead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia. The first Test is set to begin on November 22 at Perth’s Optus Stadium, and India faces a must-win situation to qualify for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final without relying on other teams.

Gavaskar has advised Rohit to tone down his aggressive playing style, especially in the initial overs of his innings, and instead adopt a more measured and calculated start. This, Gavaskar believes, will help Sharma build a strong foundation at the crease, which will be crucial as India aims to secure a victory in Australia.

Rohit Sharma has faced criticism for his performance in India's recent series against New Zealand, where he scored just 91 runs in six innings, averaging a disappointing 15.17. Gavaskar, addressing Rohit’s struggles, highlighted the challenge posed by Australia’s pace trio—Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood—and emphasized the need for caution, particularly against Starc’s early deliveries.

"At the start, he can be troubled by Mitchell Starc's lengths and lines," Gavaskar said in an interview on Star Sports. "Often, Rohit's foot movement is not as sharp in the first few overs, and that’s where he gets into trouble. But if he can survive the first two or three overs, he can score runs. The key is getting the shot selection right, and this applies to any batter."

The former Indian captain also pointed out that Australian pitches, combined with the Kookaburra ball, tend to ease up after the first 15 overs, giving batters more room to play freely. "If you show some restraint in the first session, you can score runs," Gavaskar concluded.

Rohit Sharma's track record in Australia includes 408 runs at an average of 31.38 in seven matches, but Gavaskar believes a more conservative approach early on could significantly boost these numbers in the upcoming series.