Ab de Villiers Dodges Crime Partner To Label Rohit Sharma Best Captain

The former South African captain, Ab de Villiers, has displayed his full support for the Indian captain, Rohit Sharma, to be part of the upcoming ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia amidst all the discussions around the veteran needing to retire from the 50-overs format.

At the end of the Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Rohit informed that he wouldn’t retire from the 50-over format and requested the entire community to stop spreading rumors.

Ab De Villiers backs Rohit Sharma to extend ODI career

Rohit has the best win percentage among all the leaders in the 50-over format and has become just the second Indian captain after MS Dhoni to win multiple ICC tournaments, as he led the blue brigade to the T20 World Cup last year in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

Also Read: Bangladesh Reveals New Men’s Contracts List For 2025; Veteran Refuses Demotion

“Compared to other captains, look at Rohit's win percentage. It's almost 74%, which is substantially more than any other captain of the past. If he keeps going, he will go down as one of the best ODI captains of all time. Rohit has also said he is not retiring and has requested that rumors be stopped spreading.” Ab de Villiers expressed this during a recent interaction.

“Why would he retire? With that kind of record, not only as captain but also as a batter. That 76 in the final off 83 balls, giving India a fantastic start, laying the foundation for success, and leading from the front when the pressure was at its peak.” The former South African wicket-keeper batter addressed.

Rohit is the fourth leading run-getter in the ODI format with 11168 runs in 265 innings at an average of 48.76 and a strike rate of 92.80, shouldering on 32 centuries and 58 half-centuries at the best score of 264 against Sri Lanka in Kolkata.

Ab de Villiers eliminates rumors calling Rohit Sharma’s retirement

Ab de Villiers reckoned that the Nagpur-born has transformed his game in the last few years, and there is no reason for the batter to retire from the 50-over format as his attacking batting always keeps India ahead in the encounter.

“Rohit Sharma has got no reason to retire. No reason to take any criticism whatsoever. His record speaks for itself. Not only that, but he has also sort of transformed his game. If we have a look at his strike rate in the powerplay, it was quite low for an opening batter in the powerplay.” The Pretoria-born highlighted.

“Since 2022, his strike rate has risen to 115 in the first powerplay, and that's the difference between good and great. It's transforming your own game, and it never stops. You always have something to learn and something to do better.” Ab de Villiers revealed.

India will have around 27 ODIs going to the next World Cup, and that will be key games for the opener’s position in the national side in the future.

Ab de Villiers credits Rohit Sharma for rising in ODIs despite recent Test struggle

The former RCB batter feels Rohit has done a terrific job of developing his batting from the recent Test struggle and rising above his poor form in the ODIs. He climbed to the third spot in the ICC ODI rankings after the ‘Player of the Match’ performance in the Champions Trophy final.

Also Read: Yuzvendra Chahal’s Wife Dhanashree Verma Reacts After Champions Trophy Final Viral Moments

“As an Indian fan, you've got to be proud of him. It has not always been plain sailing for him. His form in different formats has been up and down but when it comes to the big moments, the big matches, he leads from the front.” Ab de Villiers concluded.

Rohit’s next focus will now be on the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Mumbai Indians.