Rohit Sharma Denies ODI Retirement Rumors After Champions Trophy Win
Rohit Sharma has confirmed that he is not retiring from ODI cricket after leading India to their third Champions Trophy title.
“I’m not going to retire from this format, just to make sure that no rumours are spread going forward,” Rohit stated during the post-match press conference after India’s four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the final.
When asked about his future plans in ODI cricket, Rohit said there was no set roadmap. “What is happening will keep happening,” he remarked, indicating his continued presence in the format.
The Indian captain had previously led the team to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup and announced his retirement from T20Is after that triumph.
Rohit Sharma Reflects on India’s Unbeaten Triumph, Praises KL Rahul’s Composure
Speaking after India’s Champions Trophy victory, Rohit Sharma hailed the team’s historic achievement of winning back-to-back ICC titles without a single defeat.
“Let’s see. Winning two ICC trophies is a massive achievement, and going undefeated is the icing on the cake. Very few teams have managed to win two tournaments without a loss. For us, the key was preparation—coming here, adapting to the conditions, and playing each opponent on merit. We did that well and got the results. As for the future… there’s no set plan. Whatever is happening will continue,” Rohit said.
At the post-match presentation, he singled out KL Rahul for his composure in a tense chase. Rahul remained unbeaten on 34 off 33 balls in challenging conditions and later admitted he was “s****ing himself” as India chased down 252.
“Again, a very solid mind,” Rohit said of Rahul. “He never lets pressure get to him, which is exactly why we wanted him in the middle phase—to finish games for us. His experience and class bring a sense of calm when he’s at the crease.”
Rohit Sharma on India’s Batting Depth and KL Rahul’s Composure Under Pressure
Rohit Sharma praised KL Rahul’s ability to handle pressure, highlighting how his shot selection allows others to play with more freedom.
“He picks the right shots in high-pressure situations, which helps the batters around him play more freely. For example, Hardik [Pandya] came in and played some crucial shots in both games, giving us that extra freedom. Overall, the batting performances from the entire team throughout the tournament were outstanding,” Rohit said.
Leading from the front, Rohit provided India with a strong start in the final, smashing 49 off 40 balls in the powerplay and forging a 105-run opening stand with Shubman Gill. He eventually scored 76 off 83 balls.
Speaking about India’s batting depth, Rohit emphasized how it gave him the license to attack early.
“It makes things much easier and gives you freedom as well,” he said. “That’s why we wanted to have batting depth as deep as possible. With [Ravindra] Jadeja at No. 8, you get the confidence to take on the new ball. If it works, great; if not, so be it. As long as I’m clear in my mind, that’s what matters most.”
Rohit also lauded his spinners for delivering as expected. India stuck to their four-spinner strategy in the final three matches, beginning with the last group-stage clash against New Zealand, where they introduced Varun Chakravarthy—who, interestingly, wasn’t part of the initial 15-member squad.
Rohit Sharma Lauds Spinners, Hails Varun Chakravarthy’s Impact
Rohit Sharma credited India’s spinners for rising to expectations, especially on spin-friendly pitches, and maintaining consistency throughout the tournament.
“Not just in this game, but from the very start, our spinners carried a lot of expectations playing on these surfaces, and they never disappointed,” Rohit said. “We understand their strengths, and playing in such conditions worked to our advantage. Throughout the tournament, our bowling was remarkably consistent.”
Varun Chakravarthy emerged as a key player, finishing as the tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker with nine wickets in three innings at an average of 15.11 and an economy rate of 4.53. After missing India’s first two group-stage games against Bangladesh and Pakistan, he made an immediate impact in his first outing, claiming 5 for 42 against New Zealand.
“He has something unique about him,” Rohit remarked. “On pitches like these, we want batters to take risks, and that’s when he becomes even more dangerous. He didn’t start the tournament for us, but after his five-for against New Zealand, we saw his potential and wanted to maximize it. He didn’t disappoint. His quality and skill came in handy at crucial moments.”
