Rohit Sharma breaks silence on retirement speculations after leading India to Champions Trophy 2025 triumph – Sports News
After a memorable win in ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Indian cricket team captain, Rohit Sharma, debunked the rumors behind his retirement and said that he is not retiring and will continue playing ODIs for India. It may be noted that Rohit avoided the topic throughout the press conference, but just as he was about to step away, the India captain put an end to all speculation about his ‘retirement’ once and for all.
“One more thing. I am not going to retire from this format. Just to make sure there are no rumours spread moving forward. Thank you so much,” Rohit said.
However, one may say that the decision hardly comes as a surprise. Despite swirling rumors that March 9, 2025, would mark Rohit’s final day as an active Indian cricketer, retirement is still not on the immediate horizon for the 38-year-old.
Speculation about his future first arose during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy when he voluntarily stepped out of the Playing XI ahead of the Sydney Test. Reports suggested that his retirement was imminent, possibly as early as the end of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Yet, here we are, three months later, with Rohit Sharma making it clear that he’s eager to continue.
During the press conference, Rohit was asked about his future, and his initial response seemed like a reserved reaction to the ‘R’ word. However, after about ten minutes, he finally addressed the speculation, putting the rumors to rest once and for all.
“Abhi dekhte hai (Let’s see). Winning two ICC trophies is a big achievement. Going undefeated is icing on the cake. I have seen very few teams who have won two tournaments undefeated. It was important for us to come here and prepare well. We utilised the conditions well. There are no future plans. What is going on currently will continue to go on ahead,” Rohit said.
What’s next for Rohit Sharma?
While Rohit Sharma has committed to continuing his ODI career, his participation in the 2027 World Cup in South Africa remains uncertain. As captain, Rohit has achieved a feat matched only by MS Dhoni—winning multiple ICC titles.
In fact, he has surpassed Dhoni in one regard, securing both the T20 World Cup and the Champions Trophy within just nine months. If not for Australia spoiling India’s campaign on November 19, he would have claimed all three major ICC trophies in under two years.
However, India’s leadership transition is a crucial factor to consider. Rohit, as long as he continues to score impactful runs, evidenced by his game-changing 76 in the final, where he provided India with a blazing start in their chase of 252, can play for as long as he wishes.
That said, at the right moment, he may choose to step down as captain and pass the baton to his current deputy, Shubman Gill. If Rohit does make it to the 2027 World Cup, he will be 40 years old, making it unlikely that he will lead India as captain in South Africa.
