Rohit Sharma isn't retiring from ODI cricket anytime soon, but the Indian captain isn't committing to representing India in the 2027 World Cup just yet either, the sole ICC white-ball honor still absent in his trophy case.
Following his match-winning 76 against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final, Rohit shut down retirement speculations, asking people not to speculate. When questioned about his future in the 50-over format, particularly the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, he was guarded in his answer.
"I am looking at the present at the moment. It won't be just to look that far ahead. I want to play well, have the right attitude, and take things as they happen. I don't like to commit on the 2027 World Cup. There is no use talking about it now," said Rohit after the final.
He also added, "I've always gone one step at a time with my career. I don't like thinking that far ahead, and I haven't before. Right now, I'm just enjoying playing the game and hanging out with this team. I hope the guys enjoy me being here, and that's all that is important right now."
Rohit also insisted that he does not wish to dictate the way other teams perceive India. "The only thing I desire is that they should never think less of us. Even when we are five wickets down, we have the capability of fighting back and reversing the game. Until the last ball is delivered, our opposition should always remain under pressure while playing against us," he said.
On the team's fighting attitude, he further said, "In the same way, when we are bowling, we never lose heart. That is the legacy we wish to build and leave behind."
Rohit also spoke about Jasprit Bumrah's absence from the Champions Trophy. In the absence of Bumrah, Rohit's first priority was Mohammed Shami's fitness, considering Shami's remarkable record in ICC events.
"We thought that Bumrah's comeback may not be on time for the Champions Trophy. Given the nature of the injury and the long career in front of him, we had to be careful," Rohit revealed.
When it was made known that Shami would be available for the England white-ball series, Rohit breathed easy. "It was always going to be challenging, but having Shami in the squad was important. We had to make sure he was at his fittest because of his record in ICC events," he stated.
Looking back at previous World Cups, Shami has always played great games in ICC tournaments. So, when he played those two games against England, we felt more confident with the knowledge that, even without Bumrah, we had a powerful substitute.
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