New Delhi: Team India captain Rohit Sharma was among the three stalwarts of the Indian team to call time on their T20I careers last month—Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja were the other two—following the side’s T20 World Cup victory.
The side ended the country’s 11-year wait for an ICC title, defeating South Africa in a dramatic title clash in Barbados.
While Virat Kohli confirmed his retirement from the format while receiving his Player of the Match award in the final, Rohit announced that it was his last T20I during the captain’s post-match press conference. Following the announcement, speculations have significantly risen over Rohit’s future in the other two formats.
Rohit, who will turn 37 this year, is undeniably nearing the twilight of his career. However, Jay Shah, the BCCI Secretary, has assured fans that Rohit will remain at the helm until at least the next World Test Championship final, given India qualifies for the title clash next year.
Shah recently affirmed that Rohit is set to lead the team in the 2025 Champions Trophy and will continue his captaincy through the WTC campaign, where India aims to reach a third consecutive final.
On Sunday, Rohit also quashed the speculations over his overall retirement once and for all. Rohit returned to the US a month after the T20 World Cup for the launch of a cricket academy in Dallas and was asked about his retirement plans. Rohit will continue to play the T20 format in the Indian Premier League.
Despite Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja still being integral to the ODI and Test formats, India will enter a new era later this month when the side tours Sri Lanka. Former opener Gautam Gambhir will join the team as its new head coach.