AB De Villiers Backs Rohit Sharma: ‘Why Would He Retire? Can Go Down As One Of The Best ODI Captains’

Last Updated:March 13, 2025, 12:24 IST

AB de Villiers supports Rohit Sharma’s decision to continue his ODI career post-2025 Champions Trophy win, saying he can end up as ‘one of the best ODI captains of all time’.

Rohit Sharma and AB de Villiers (L). (PC: PTI, AP)

AB de Villiers backs Rohit Sharma‘s decision to not call off his ODI career immediately after winning the 2025 Champions Trophy. de Villiers believes Rohit’s record as a batter and captain warrants him to be protected from questions on his future, saying that if he continues, he can become ‘one of the best ODI captains of all time’.

Rohit ended all the speculation about his ODI retirement by saying he ‘wasn’t going anywhere’ in the press conference after India defeated New Zealand by four wickets. He won the Player of the Match for his 76-run knock in the final, which also made him the second Indian captain after MS Dhoni to win multiple ICC titles.

“Compared to other captains, look at Rohit’s win percentage, it’s almost 74%, which is substantially more than any other captain of the past. If he keeps going, he will go down as one of the best ODI captains of all time. Rohit has also said he is not retiring and has requested that rumors be stopped spreading,” de Villiers said on his YouTube channel, as quoted by IANS. 

“Why would he retire? With that kind of record, not only as captain but also as a batter. That 76 in the final, giving India a fantastic start, laying the foundation for success, and leading from the front when the pressure was at its peak. Rohit Sharma has got no reason to retire. No reason to take any criticism whatsoever. His record speaks for himself. Not only that, but he has also sort of transformed his game,” the former South Africa captain added.

de Villiers also lauded Rohit’s transformation from a run-accumulator at the top of the order to an aggressor. He said that this transformation makes him a ‘great’ player.

“If we have a look at his strike rate in the powerplay, it was quite low for an opening batter in the powerplay, but since 2022 his strike rate has rose to 115 in the first powerplay and that’s the difference between good and great. It’s transforming your own game and it never stops. You have always something to learn and something to do better,” the legendary batter said.

Rohit will now be seen in action for Mumbai Indians in the upcoming IPL 2025.