Rohit Sharma refuses to confirm playing till ODI World Cup 2027
Rohit smashed 76 runs in the final against New Zealand in Dubai to earn a Player of the Match award and reiterated that rumours must not be spread of him hanging his boots from ODI cricket anytime soon.
“Right now, I am taking things as they come. It wouldn’t be fair for me to think too far ahead. At this moment, my focus is on playing well and maintaining the right mindset. I don’t want to draw any lines and say whether I will or won’t play in the 2027 World Cup. There’s no point in making such statements right now,” Rohit said after the final.
He added, “Realistically, I have always taken my career one step at a time. I don’t like thinking too far into the future, and I haven’t done so in the past either. For now, I am enjoying my cricket and the time I spend with this team. I hope my teammates enjoy my presence as well. That’s all that matters at this point.”
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Speaking about his legacy, Rohit remarked that he has always wanted to construct a side that could not be taken lightly by the opposition.
“I don’t want to dictate how other teams should perceive us. The only thing I want is for them to never take us lightly. Even if we are five wickets down, we have the ability to fight back and turn the game around.
“Until the last ball of the match is bowled, our opponents should always feel the pressure of playing against us. Similarly, when we bowl, this team never gives up. That is the kind of legacy we want to create and leave behind.”
Rohit further said that while Jasprit Bumrah was out of the tournament, he was aiming to have Mohammed Shami inside the scheme of things given his remarkable record at ICC events. Further, the skipper said that he breathed a sigh of relief once it became clear that Shami would be back for the England series.
“We already had a sense that his (Bumrah) recovery might not be in time for the Champions Trophy. Given the nature of his injury and the fact that he is a fast bowler with a long career ahead, we had to be cautious.”
After it became clear that Shami was available for the England white-ball series, Rohit heaved a sigh of relief.
“It was always going to be a challenge, but having Mohammed Shami in the team was crucial. We needed to ensure he was at peak fitness because his record in ICC tournaments is exceptional.
“Looking back at past World Cups, Shami has consistently delivered outstanding performances in ICC events.
“So, when he played those two matches against England, we gained confidence that even in Bumrah’s absence, we had a strong alternative,” he said.
