NEW DELHI: Former India head coach Rahul Dravid spoke highly of former captain Rohit Sharma, crediting him for spearheading the team's aggressive evolution. Dravid reckons the team's fearless transformation in T20 cricket is the result of Rohit's collective commitment to aggression.

"I can't speak for what happened before my time, but from the moment I came in, a lot of discussions with Rohit revolved around playing a more aggressive brand of cricket," Dravid said on the new episode of Breakfast with Champions. "We started that approach right from the beginning because we could see the way the game was evolving - and Rohit deserves a lot of credit for steering the team in that direction."

Dravid noted that India's commitment to positivity and attacking intent has redefined modern T20 batting.

"I'm glad we kept going that way, to the point where I think India is literally changing what T20 cricket looks like. The level of batting now is off the charts - they're scoring close to 300, and everyone else in the world is trying to catch up. In just three or four years, teams are looking at India and saying, 'We've got to match this.'"

Though Dravid acknowledged the role of coaches in instilling confidence, he stressed that the true credit lies with the players and leaders who have the courage to take risks and execute that vision on the field.

"I mean, I wouldn't say like me. I would say these players. They are the players who do that. I mean, I'm not saying that I shouldn't get any credit. But it has to be driven by the leaders. It has to be driven by the captain."

"It has to be driven by the players. Because they've got to do it. They've got to take the risks. You might be giving them a certain amount of security but in the end, they're the ones who've got to take those chances, take those risks."

Rohit creates history

Rohit etched his name in the record books by claiming the No. 1 spot on the latest ICC Men's ODI Batting Rankings - the first time in his illustrious career.

With this feat, Rohit at the age of 38 years and 182 days, also became the oldest Indian batter ever to achieve the top position in the ODI rankings.

Rohit climbed two places to the top of the ICC Men's ODI Batting Rankings following his sublime unbeaten century in the third and final ODI against Australia in Sydney, where he guided India to a commanding nine-wicket victory.