After leading India to multiple ICC titles, Rohit Sharma may decide on his ODI future following the Champions Trophy final, with discussions expected between him and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
March 9, 2025: New Delhi:
As the Champions Trophy 2025 final approaches, speculation surrounding Rohit Sharma’s ODI future has intensified. The Indian skipper, who has played a pivotal role in shaping Indian cricket over the years, is reportedly considering retirement from the 50-over format, irrespective of the final’s outcome against New Zealand on Sunday.
If India secures the Champions Trophy title, Rohit Sharma could become only the second Indian captain after MS Dhoni to win multiple ICC events. However, according to sources within the BCCI, Rohit is likely to sit down with chief selector Ajit Agarkar post-tournament to evaluate his future in ODIs.
Also Read: Rohit Sharma Retirement Talks? Shubman Gill’s Response Leaves Everyone Guessing
A Decision in the Making?
While selectors don’t always dictate the future of cricketing legends, major decisions like these often involve discussions between players and board officials. Rohit’s absence from the pre-final press conference has further fueled speculation, with vice-captain Shubman Gill stating that there has been “no discussion on retirements” within the dressing room.
Interestingly, Rohit’s situation is different from Virat Kohli’s. Both players retired from T20Is after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup, but Kohli is expected to continue in Tests, aiming to reach the 10,000-run milestone, a feat already achieved by Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson.
For Rohit, however, Test cricket remains uncertain. He opted out of the Sydney Test during the Australia tour, raising questions about his red-ball future. With India’s next big Test series against England in June, selectors must decide whether Rohit will continue as captain or bow out gracefully during the home Test series against West Indies later in the year.
Will Rohit Continue in ODIs?
If Rohit does not see himself playing in the 2027 ODI World Cup, the question remains whether he will continue in the format until the next ICC event. India’s FTP (Future Tours Programme) suggests a long gap in ODIs, with no home 50-over matches until December against South Africa. Before that, there are only:
- Three ODIs vs Bangladesh (Away)
- Three ODIs vs Australia (Away)
- Asia Cup in Sri Lanka
Given the declining importance of ODIs in bilateral series, Rohit may not want to prolong his white-ball career unnecessarily. However, a final decision is expected after the Champions Trophy final, bringing much-needed clarity.
By Sunday night, the cricketing world will know whether Rohit Sharma continues his ODI journey or bids farewell to the format that made him an Indian cricketing icon.
Tags:
#RohitSharma, #RohitRetirement, #ChampionsTrophy2025, #BCCI, #AjitAgarkar, #TeamIndia, #ODICricket, #ViratKohli, #IndianCricket,