Rohit Sharma has put an end to any speculation regarding his One Day International (ODI) future, confirming that he has no plans to retire from the format. After leading India to their third Champions Trophy title with a commanding four-wicket victory over New Zealand, the captain reassured fans and the cricketing world of his continued commitment.
“I’m not going to retire from this format, just to make sure that no rumours are spread going forward,” Rohit asserted in the post-match press conference.
Having already retired from T20 Internationals following India’s 2024 T20 World Cup win, there were growing whispers about whether Rohit would also call time on his ODI career. However, the veteran opener made it clear that he intends to keep going.
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India’s Skipper Clears the Air on His ODI Future
When asked about his long-term plans, Rohit maintained that he had none, choosing instead to focus on the present.
“Let’s see. It is a great team achievement for the team to win two ICC trophies, and to go undefeated is the icing on the cake. I have seen very few teams that have won two tournaments undefeated. For us, the most important thing was that we come here, prepared, and played the opposition. We used the conditions well and won. Future plan… there’s no future plan, whatever is happening will keep happening,” he explained.
KL Rahul’s Calm Presence Proves Crucial
One of the defining moments of the final was KL Rahul’s composed innings in challenging conditions. The wicketkeeper-batter remained unbeaten on 34 off 33 deliveries, guiding India to victory in a tense chase of 252 runs.
“Again, a very solid mind,” Rohit said while praising Rahul’s temperament. “He never gets overawed by pressure around him. That’s one of the reasons why we wanted to have him in the middle phase, to try and finish off games for us. With his experience and class, there’s a bit of calmness when he bats.”
India’s Batting Depth Provides Freedom
Rohit played a pivotal role in setting up India’s chase, scoring a fluent 76 off 83 balls. His partnership with Shubman Gill, which yielded 105 runs for the first wicket, laid the foundation for India’s successful pursuit. The skipper attributed his aggressive approach to India’s strong batting lineup.
“It makes it a lot easier; it gives you freedom as well,” he said. “Which is why I said earlier as well, that we wanted to have batting depth as deep as possible. [Ravindra] Jadeja coming at No. 8 gives you the confidence to go slightly hard up front with the new ball. If it comes off, it comes off. If it doesn’t, then so be it. As long as I’m clear in my mind, it’s the most important thing.”
Spinners Shine on the Big Stage
India’s decision to persist with a spin-heavy attack proved to be a masterstroke. In the last three matches, they deployed a four-pronged spin attack, a strategy that reaped rich rewards. Rohit acknowledged the role of his spinners in securing the title.
“Not just this game but right from the beginning, our spinners in particular, there’s too many expectations when you are playing on a pitch like that, but they never disappointed,” he said. “We do understand their strengths; playing on pitches like these helped, and we used it to our advantage. Throughout the tournament, in terms of bowling, we were very consistent.”
Varun Chakravarthy: The X-Factor
Among the standout performers was mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who finished the tournament as the second-highest wicket-taker. Despite missing India’s first two group-stage matches, he took nine wickets in three innings at an impressive average of 15.11 and an economy rate of 4.53.
“He has got something different about him,” Rohit said about Varun. “When we are playing on such pitches, we want the batters to do something different, and that’s when he becomes a lot more dangerous. He didn’t start off in the tournament for us, but when he played against New Zealand and picked up a five-for, we saw the kind of ability he possesses. We wanted to maximise that, and he didn’t disappoint.”
With India securing back-to-back ICC trophies under Rohit’s leadership, their dominance in white-ball cricket is undisputed. His decision to continue playing ODIs ensures stability as the team builds towards the next major global tournament. While the captain has chosen to let events unfold organically, one thing is certain—he remains a pivotal figure in India’s cricketing journey.
FAQs
Is Rohit Sharma retiring from ODI cricket after winning the Champions Trophy?
No, Rohit Sharma has confirmed that he is not retiring from ODIs and dismissed any speculation regarding his future in the format.
What did Rohit Sharma say about his future plans in ODI cricket?
Rohit stated that there is “no future plan” and that “whatever is happening will keep happening,” emphasizing his focus on the present.
How did KL Rahul contribute to India’s Champions Trophy final win?
KL Rahul played a crucial knock, scoring an unbeaten 34 off 33 balls in difficult conditions, ensuring India’s successful chase.
Who was India’s standout bowler in the tournament?
Varun Chakravarthy emerged as a key performer, taking nine wickets in three matches, including a five-wicket haul against New Zealand.
How did India’s batting depth help Rohit Sharma play aggressively?
Rohit credited India’s strong batting lineup, particularly Ravindra Jadeja at No. 8, for giving him the confidence to attack early in the innings.
