India’s captain clarifies he hasn’t planned his future in the ODI format yet.
Rohit Sharma has confirmed that he will not be retiring from ODI cricket, following India’s triumph in the Champions Trophy. This victory marked India’s third Champions Trophy title under his leadership.
“I am not going to retire from this format,” Sharma stated firmly at the post-match press conference, aiming to dispel any circulating rumors about his future in ODI cricket. This announcement came shortly after India’s convincing four-wicket win against New Zealand in the final.
When questioned about his career trajectory and future plans after securing back-to-back ICC titles (including the 2024 T20 World Cup victory), Rohit explained his focus remains on the present. He stated there was ‘no future plan’ and that he is taking things as they come in ODI cricket. It’s important to note he had previously retired from T20Is after leading India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
“Let’s see. Winning two ICC trophies, especially while remaining undefeated, is a significant team achievement. It’s a rare feat. Our primary focus was preparation and playing according to the opposition. We adapted well to the conditions and ultimately won. Regarding future plans, there are no concrete plans as of now. We are focused on continuing our current approach.”
During the post-match presentation, Rohit praised KL Rahul for his composed innings under pressure. Rahul remained not out on 34 from 33 balls in challenging batting conditions. Rahul later admitted to feeling immense pressure during India’s chase of 252 runs.
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“Again, KL Rahul has a very solid mindset,” Rohit commented. “He manages pressure effectively, which is why we value his presence in the middle order to finish games. His experience and class bring a sense of calm to the batting lineup.”
“He selects his shots wisely under pressure, allowing batsmen around him to play more freely. For instance, Hardik played exceptionally well in both games, providing us momentum. Overall, the batting performance throughout the tournament was outstanding.”
Rohit himself initiated India’s chase with an aggressive start, scoring 49 runs off 40 balls in the powerplay, forming a century opening partnership with Shubman Gill. He concluded his innings with 76 runs off 83 balls.
“Batting depth provides significant freedom,” Rohit noted, explaining his aggressive approach at the start of the innings. “Our aim was to build batting depth as much as possible. Jadeja at No. 8 gives confidence to accelerate upfront with the new ball. If it pays off, it’s beneficial; if not, it’s acceptable. Clarity in my approach is paramount.”
Rohit also commended his spin bowlers for their consistent performance. India employed a four-spinner strategy in the last three matches, introducing Varun Chakravarthy, who was not initially in the preliminary squad.
“Our spinners have been exceptional throughout the tournament, not just in this final. Despite high expectations on spin-friendly pitches, they consistently delivered,” Rohit stated. “We understand their strengths, and utilizing these conditions to our advantage was key. Our bowling unit demonstrated consistency throughout the tournament.”
Varun Chakravarthy emerged as the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament, claiming nine wickets in three innings at an average of 15.11 and an economy rate of 4.53. Despite missing the initial matches against Bangladesh and Pakistan, he took a remarkable 5 for 42 against New Zealand in his first game.
“Varun possesses a unique quality,” Rohit said. “On such pitches, we need our bowlers to offer something different, which makes him particularly effective. Although he didn’t start the tournament, his five-wicket haul against New Zealand showcased his capabilities. We aimed to maximize his potential, and he certainly lived up to it. He has tremendous bowling quality, which proved valuable at crucial moments.”
