Rohit Sharma confirmed he has no plans to retire from one-day internationals after leading India to a historic Champions Trophy victory over New Zealand in Dubai.
The Indian captain, who played a crucial role in the final with a brisk 76, dismissed speculation about his future in the format.
“I’m not retiring from this format… make sure no rumours are spread,” said Sharma, addressing speculation after India secured their third Champions Trophy title.
India ended an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy with the 2024 T20 World Cup, following their loss to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final on home soil. Sharma reflected on India’s approach in the 50-over tournament, crediting the spinners for their success.
“When I learned about playing the tournament in Dubai, we selected four spinners because the wickets had seen a lot of cricket, and spinners could become match-winners,” Sharma explained.
India remained unbeaten in the eight-team tournament held across Pakistan and the UAE, playing all their matches in Dubai due to political tensions. With this title, India surpassed Australia’s two Champions Trophy wins, adding to their victories in 2002 and 2013.
Reflecting on India’s performance in the final, Sharma acknowledged the challenge of losing early wickets but praised the team’s ability to stabilise under pressure.
Kohli on India’s Triumph and Future
Virat Kohli, who played a pivotal role in India’s undefeated campaign, praised the team’s resilience and highlighted the contributions of younger players.
“It’s been amazing. We wanted to bounce back after a tough Australia tour. Lovely playing with a bunch of amazing youngsters,” Kohli said.
Kohli finished the tournament with 218 runs in five innings, including a crucial knock against Pakistan in the group stage. He emphasised the importance of collective performances in high-pressure tournaments.
“To win titles, the whole team has to step up in different games. People have played such impactful knocks and had crucial spells. That collective effort is what has done it for us,” he added.
As one of India’s most experienced players, Kohli reflected on his leadership role in guiding the next generation.
“I try to speak to these guys, share my experience, and tell them how I’ve played for so long,” he said. “When you leave, you want to leave the team in a better position. So many impactful knocks from Gill, Shreyas, Rahul, and others have made a difference.”
With back-to-back ICC titles and a dominant run in the Champions Trophy, India has reaffirmed its position as the world’s top ODI side, marking another milestone in their recent dominance across formats.