Ex-India Batter Predicts Rohit Sharma’s Retirement After Champions Trophy 2025

The former Indian batter, Sanjay Manjrekar, has speculated that Dubai’s blockbuster clash could be the last one for Rohit Sharma against Pakistan in international cricket, as he may not turn up for the upcoming 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

The Blue Brigade is coming into the clash after their opening six-wicket victory in the Champions Trophy 2025 against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Another win in the group stage will qualify them for the semifinal of the tournament.

Rohit Sharma’s recent ODI performances

Since the start of 2023, the Indian captain has changed the template of their ODI cricket, as he has smashed some aggressive shots around the park to take the upper hand in the powerplay. That has allowed the other batters to take their time in the middle overs.

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Rohit has missed many milestones in the process, but the national side has gained a lot of success from it. The right-handed batter finished 2023 as the third leading run-getter in the 50-over formats with 1255 runs in 26 innings at an average of 52.29 and a strike rate of 117.07, thanks to two centuries and nine half-centuries at the best score of 131.

Even in 2024, when most of the batters struggled during the three ODIs in Sri Lanka against the home spinners, Rohit stood up with aggression and scored 131 runs at a strike rate of 141.44, thanks to a couple of half-centuries and a best score of 64.

The veteran had a tough time in the longest format towards the end of last year, when he managed just 31 runs in five innings during the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. He could not buy runs in the lone Ranji Trophy 2024-25 clash for Mumbai against Jammu and Kashmir and continued the dry form against England in Nagpur.

But a thrilling 119-run knock in Cuttack was a sigh of relief for the opener, as he also drilled 41 runs in just 36 deliveries against Bangladesh in the opening Champions Trophy 2025 clash.

Sanjay Manjrekar’s advice for India’s captain against Pakistan

Manjrekar has ruled out the possibility of Rohit playing in the Indian side for the 2027 World Cup and reckoned that the Champions Trophy 2025 could be the last of his career. He suggests the 37-year-old play with a free mindset against Pakistan in terms of quality.

“I have a feeling (that) if he has decided, I mean, can Rohit Sharma be there for the 2027 Cricket World Cup? I don't think so. It's very unlikely. So, then, this could be, what you are suggesting, could be the final tournament.” Manjrekar expressed on ESPNcricinfo.

“I'm expecting Rohit Sharma to go out there, and he should be liberated not so much by this being his sort of swansong or whatever, just by the fact that so much of quality batting to come (from him).” The former Indian batter addressed.

Sanjay Manjrekar lauds Rohit Sharma’s selfless knock vs Bangladesh

Even on a tired track in Dubai, the Nagpur-born followed the same template and went after the bowlers to offer the blue brigade an aggressive start, smashing 41 runs in 36 balls. Ahead of the previous encounter, he eliminated concerns regarding his form.

Also Read: India To Lose Champions Trophy 2025 Clash Against Pakistan? Atul Wassan Makes Shocking Prediction

“2023 World Cup (in India) Rohit Sharma's popularity soared. What they loved about Rohit Sharma is that they saw the captain was selfless, went out there (he) could have got a hundred but (instead) gave a great flying start to the team and made things easier for the players coming after him.” Sanjay Manjrekar highlighted.

A victory for India will be enough to qualify for the semifinals of the event and knock Pakistan out of the tournament after two successive defeats.