Will Rohit Sharma Retire If India Loses In Champions Trophy?
As India prepares for the Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand this Sunday, there is speculation regarding the retirement of Indian captain Rohit Sharma. The focus will soon shift to who will be his successor. Rohit is just two months away from turning 38 and has already retired from the T20I format. India’s next Test series is in June when they tour England, while their next major ODI tournament is the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Amidst the preparations for the final, a report in Dainik Jagran has quoted a BCCI source suggesting that Rohit might retire if India loses to New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final in Dubai on Sunday. The report also claims that if India wins, there is no clarity on Rohit’s decision. In either case, the final decision will be entirely up to Rohit.
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However, if India wins, there is a high possibility that Rohit might continue as a player in ODIs, but the captaincy would likely be handed over to a younger player, either Hardik Pandya or Shubman Gill, according to the report. Rohit, meanwhile, would continue to play.
Rohit has led India with distinction, establishing a brand of fearless cricket in limited-overs formats. His leadership has been defined by calculated aggression and an ability to get the best out of the younger generation.
Legendary Sunil Gavaskar believes that Rohit Sharma should aim for more than just 25-30 runs and focus on building longer innings. He emphasized that Rohit’s presence at the crease can have a game-changing impact for India. While the Indian skipper has adopted an aggressive approach in ODIs to provide quick starts, this has frequently led to early dismissals.
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Rohit’s highest score in the ongoing Champions Trophy was 41 against Bangladesh in the opening game.
As of now, the only certainty is that Rohit Sharma is India’s captain for the Champions Trophy final. Beyond that, the transition may or may not occur. However, the generational shift is on the horizon.
