Dubai, Mar 9 (UNI) Captain Rohit Sharma emphatically dismissed speculation about his retirement from One-Day Internationals, asserting that he has no immediate plans to step away from the format.
"One more thing, I'm not going to retire from this format, just to make sure that your rumors are spread moving forward. Koi future plan hai nahi, jo chal raha hai chalega (there is no future plan, whatever is going on will continue as it is)," Rohit told reporters in post-match press conference here on Sunday.
Rohit’s remarks come at a time when his role in India’s white-ball setup is under scrutiny, with the team transitioning towards the next phase of international cricket. As a leader across formats, his availability for upcoming ICC tournaments, remains a subject of keen interest among fans and experts alike.
On the field, Rohit led from the front as India secured their third ICC Champions Trophy title with a thrilling four-wicket victory over New Zealand.
Rohit’s composed 76 off 83 balls set the foundation for India’s successful chase of 252, with the team reaching 254/6 in 49 overs.
With his 76-run knock, Rohit etched his name in an elite list of skippers who have scored 50 or more runs in a Champions Trophy final. He became only the fourth captain to achieve this feat, joining Sourav Ganguly (117 vs New Zealand, 2000, Nairobi), Sanath Jayasuriya (74 vs India, 2002, Colombo RPS), and Hansie Cronje (61* vs West Indies, 1998, Dhaka). Notably, this was Rohit’s highest score in any ODI final, surpassing his previous best of 66 against Australia in the CB Series final at the SCG in 2008.
India’s opening duo of Rohit and Shubman Gill also scripted history with a solid 105-run stand against New Zealand in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy final, becoming only the third opening pair to achieve a century partnership in a Champions Trophy summit clash.
Their partnership put India in command before Glenn Phillips’ moment of brilliance in the field provided New Zealand a breakthrough. Mitchell Santner tossed one up to Gill, who drove crisply towards cover, only for Phillips to pull off a sensational one-handed catch in mid-air. Gill, who had scored 31 off 50 balls, including a six, walked back in disbelief.
The highest opening stand in a Champions Trophy final remains the 141-run partnership between Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar against New Zealand in the 2000 edition at Nairobi. Pakistan’s Azhar Ali and Fakhar Zaman also stitched a memorable 128-run stand against India in the 2017 final at The Oval, setting up Pakistan’s maiden Champions Trophy triumph.
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