Rohit Sharma has officially addressed the rumors surrounding his retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket. Following India’s win against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final in Dubai, the Indian captain stated clearly, “I am not going to retire.” This statement puts an end to recent speculation about his future in the format.
Sharma further emphasized his commitment to ODIs, stating, “I’m not going to retire from this format, just to make sure that no rumours are spread moving forward.” He made this announcement after leading India to several ICC trophy finals, winning two titles. This clarification was more of a proactive announcement than a direct response to a question during the post-match media conference.
During the media conference, when asked about future plans, Rohit had initially responded in Hindi, suggesting continuity: “Future plan? There is no future plan. What is going on, will continue.” He also hinted at his ongoing passion for the game, indicating his strong motivation to continue playing.
In the Champions Trophy, Sharma scored 180 runs and surpassed 11,000 ODI runs. His impressive ODI record includes 11,168 runs in 273 matches, with an average of 48.76, featuring 32 centuries, including three double centuries.
Speculation about Rohit’s ODI retirement arose during the Champions Trophy, fueled by his previous retirement from T20Is after the T20 World Cup in Barbados last June. He had announced his T20I retirement immediately after leading India to victory in that tournament.
Similar retirement rumors have also circulated about Virat Kohli. However, Kohli has performed well in the Champions Trophy, scoring 218 runs, including a century. He also retired from T20Is in Barbados last June, around the same time as Rohit.
