Rohit Sharma Drops His And Virat Kohli's Retirement Bombshell After Champions Trophy 2025

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s decision to step down from the T20I format after the Indian side won the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA) has provoked fans to wonder about another sudden decision after the Champions Trophy 2025.

Since the morning of the final on March 09, most of the Indian fans speculated if the contest against New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium would be the last for Rohit Sharma, who would be nearly 40 by the time the next ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia arrives.

Rohit Sharma confirms retirement plans after Champions Trophy 2025 victory

Just before he was about to leave the press conference, with a bright smile on his face, Rohit revealed that he wouldn’t be retiring from ODI cricket after leading the side to their third Champions Trophy title. He cleared the air to ignore any unnecessary speculation.

Also Read: Suryakumar Yadav picks Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's replacement in Team India

“I'm not going to retire from this format, just to make sure that no rumors are spread going forward.” He revealed at the press conference after the final against the Blackcaps.

“We (Rohit and Kohli) are not getting retired. What are these people talking about?” Rohit was heard as he spoke to Virat while celebrating the victory.

In nine months, the Nagpur-born has delivered two successive ICC trophies to the Blue Brigade. However, he reckoned that there were no plans as of now and would leave the rhythm moving in the 50-over format.

“Let's see. It is a great team achievement for the team to win two ICC trophies, and to go undefeated is icing on the cake. I have seen very few teams that have won two tournaments undefeated.” The 37-year-old highlighted.

“For us, the most important thing was that we come here and prepare, and play the opposition. We used the conditions well and won. There's no plan, whatever is happening will keep happening.” Rohit Sharma addressed.

The Indian captain grabbed the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his crucial 76 runs in 83 balls, thanks to seven boundaries and three sixes at a strike rate of 91.57.

Rohit Sharma impressed with India’s spin department

Picking five spinners in the squad for the eight-team tournament raised a few questions among the fans and the pundits, but Rohit Sharma has praised the spinners for living up to the expectations. The management stuck with four spinners in the final, as Varun Chakravarthy, the late inclusion in the squad, ended as the second leading wicket-taker.

"Not just this game but right from the beginning, our spinners in particular, there's too many expectations when you are playing on a pitch like that, but they never disappointed.” The Mumbai batter noted after the final.

"We do understand their strengths, playing on pitches like these helped and we used it to our advantage. Throughout the tournament, in terms of bowling, we were very consistent.” Rohit Sharma added.

India’s leader is superbly impressed with Varun, who picked up nine wickets in three innings at 15.11 apiece with an economy rate of 4.53. Even in the final, he drew the first blood by sending back Will Young to break the ominous-looking opening stand.

Also Read: Rohit Sharma To Play His Final ODI In Champions Trophy 2025 Final? Fresh Report Reveals Truth

“When we are playing on such pitches, we want the batters to do something different, and that's when he becomes a lot more dangerous. He didn't start in the tournament for us, but when he played against New Zealand and picked up a five-for, we saw the kind of ability he possesses.” Rohit Sharma highlighted.

Rohit to Kohli "bhai hum koi retire nahi horey hai bhnch0d, mkc inko toh lagra hai....." 😭 https://t.co/AQAsoQFwPx

— Wellu (@Wellutwt) March 9, 2025

India chases down 252 with four wickets in hand

Restricting the Kiwis to 251 was a commendable job from the blue brigade after leaking 57 runs in the early eight overs. But they gave away 20 runs more than expected from keeping them at 211/6 in 45.4 overs.

The game was a see-saw battle. When Rohit Sharma got out for 76 runs at 122/3 in the 27th over, and Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel followed them, the chase could have been a different story. But KL Rahul displayed calmness for his 34* runs to carry them over the line with four wickets in hand.