New Delhi: After leading India to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, captain Rohit Sharma put an end to all speculation surrounding his retirement. The veteran cricketer, who played a crucial role in India’s campaign, confirmed that he is not retiring from One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and will continue representing India in the format.
During the post-match press conference, Rohit initially avoided the retirement question, but just as he was about to leave, he turned back and made a clear statement.
“One more thing. I am not going to retire from this format. Just to make sure there are no rumors spread moving forward. Thank you so much.”
Rohit Sharma Decision – Not a Surprise
Rumors about Rohit Sharma retirement gained momentum over the past few months, with many believing that March 9, 2025, would be his final day as an international cricketer. Speculation first started during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, when Rohit voluntarily stepped down from the Playing XI ahead of the Sydney Test. Reports suggested that he was preparing to announce his retirement, possibly at the end of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
However, Rohit latest statement makes it clear that he has no immediate plans to retire.
When asked about his future, the Indian skipper initially responded cautiously but later decided to shut down all speculation.
“Abhi dekhte hain (Let’s see). Winning two ICC trophies is a huge achievement. Going undefeated is the icing on the cake. Very few teams have won back-to-back ICC tournaments without a single loss. Our preparation was excellent, and we executed our plans well. Right now, there are no future plans. What is happening currently will continue,” Rohit said.
What Next for Rohit Sharma?
While Rohit Sharma has confirmed that he will continue playing ODIs, his participation in the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa remains uncertain.
With his latest achievement, Rohit joins MS Dhoni as one of the few Indian captains to have won multiple ICC trophies. In fact, he has now surpassed Dhoni in one key area—winning both the T20 World Cup 2024 and the Champions Trophy 2025 within just nine months. If not for India’s loss in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia, he could have completed a historic hat-trick of ICC trophies.
Will Rohit Sharma Continue as Captain?
As India prepares for the future, one of the biggest questions will be Rohit Sharma captaincy. His 76-run match-winning knock in the Champions Trophy final showed that he still has plenty to offer as a player. However, at 38, the question of succession looms large.
While there is no immediate confirmation, many believe that Shubman Gill, the current vice-captain, could take over the leadership duties in the near future. If Rohit does play in the 2027 World Cup, he will be 40 years old, making it unlikely that he will continue as India’s captain.
For now, Rohit remains focused on the present, ensuring that his leadership and batting continue to contribute to India’s success. His statement has cleared all doubts—he is not done yet!
