India vice-captain Shubman Gill has addressed swirling speculation regarding Rohit Sharma's potential ODI retirement, stating that the team's sole focus is on winning the Champions Trophy 2025 final scheduled against New Zealand on March 9 in Dubai.
The rumours surrounding Rohit's retirement gained traction following a report in Dainik Jagran, which suggested that the India captain might be considering stepping away from the ODI format if India lose the Champions Trophy 2025 final. The report also added that Rohit might take a call on his ODI future even if India end up lifting the trophy.
Once the match ends tomorrow, he will make a decision: Shubman Gill on Rohit Sharma’s retirement rumours
Gill, who is also Rohit’s opening partner, stated that the team is focusing on winning the title. He also claimed that no discussions on Rohit’s ODI retirement have taken place yet.
"All our discussions have been about winning the final and the title. The team and I have not been told anything about this decision," Gill said as quoted in the press conference on Saturday.
Gill further shared that the 37-year-old will make a decision on his retirement once the final is over.
"Rohit Bhai would not be thinking about it at the moment. I think once the match ends tomorrow, he will make a decision. There is no talk about it within the setup," he added.
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Rohit had earlier opted out of the Sydney Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. While it seemed as if he had played his final Test match for India, he later clarified:
"The decision is not to retire. I'm not going to step aside (as captain). I have decided to step aside from this Test because I'm not scoring (enough runs). There is no guarantee that I won't score runs after two months or five months. I have seen things happen like this many times. But at the same time, I've also got to be realistic."
Litmus Test awaits Rohit Sharma in Champions Trophy 2025 final
The focus now shifts to the Champions Trophy 2025 final, where Rohit's leadership and batting prowess will be crucial. While he has led India to four consecutive wins in the competition, there is a big question mark on his batting.
Rohit has recorded scores of 41, 20, 15 and 28 in the tournament so far. Although form is not in his side, Rohit is a big-match player and India would hope their skipper does the job for them in the summit clash.
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