Following India’s victory in the Champions Trophy, captain Rohit Sharma addressed speculation about his future in One Day International cricket. In the post-match press conference after defeating New Zealand in the final, Sharma clearly stated that he has no plans to retire from the ODI format. He emphasized that these rumors should be put to rest.
When questioned about his career trajectory in ODIs, especially after securing consecutive ICC titles – the Champions Trophy and the T20 World Cup in 2024 – Sharma indicated that he currently has no specific future plans, suggesting he is content with the present situation. He reminded everyone that he had previously retired from T20Is after leading India to victory in the T20 World Cup last year.
Sharma lauded the Champions Trophy win as a collective team effort, highlighting their undefeated streak throughout the tournament. He pointed out that achieving such undefeated runs in major tournaments is rare, attributing India’s success to meticulous preparation, adaptability to diverse playing conditions, and effective strategies against their opponents.
The captain also praised KL Rahul for his calm and assured innings under pressure in the final. Rahul, who remained unbeaten with 34 runs in challenging batting conditions, admitted to feeling the tension during India’s chase of 252 runs. Rohit commended Rahul’s composure, experience, and shot selection, which he believes brings stability and confidence to the team, especially in crucial moments. He also acknowledged contributions from other batsmen like Hardik, whose aggressive approach helped relieve pressure and allowed for more freedom in scoring.
Rohit also reflected on his own aggressive starts in the tournament, including the final, where he provided momentum early in the innings alongside Shubman Gill. He explained that the depth in India’s batting lineup empowers him to adopt an attacking approach from the beginning, knowing that the team has sufficient batting strength to recover from early setbacks if needed.
Furthermore, Sharma commended the performance of the Indian spin bowlers throughout the tournament. He noted that they consistently met high expectations, particularly on spin-friendly pitches. He specifically mentioned Varun Chakravarthy, who, despite not being initially in the squad, emerged as a key bowler and a leading wicket-taker among spinners. Rohit appreciated Chakravarthy’s unique bowling style and his effectiveness in exploiting favorable pitch conditions to trouble the opposition’s batsmen.
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