As questions loom over Rohit Sharma's future, the Indian skipper has once again captured the attention of fans and critics alike.
Despite guiding India to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final with a decisive victory against Australia, uncertainty hovers over Rohit's tenure in international cricket.
At a post-match press conference, India head coach Gautam Gambhir was quizzed about Rohit's future in the national team after the Champions Trophy.
Gambhir deftly sidestepped the question, opting instead to commend Rohit for setting an aggressive tone from the outset. Although Gambhir refrained from discussing Rohit's long-term plans, his evasiveness suggests that discussions might already be underway.
A reporter inquired about Rohit's current form and longevity. Gambhir responded, “With the Champions Trophy final approaching, what can I say? When your captain bats with such tempo, it sends a strong message of fearlessness to the dressing room. You assess by runs; we assess by impact. Journalists and experts focus on numbers and averages, but as a coach and team, we prioritize impact. If the captain leads by example, it greatly benefits the team.”
Rohit's remarkable performance against Australia solidified his legacy in the record books, as he became the first captain in history to reach the finals of all ICC tournaments.
India's significant victory marked them as the first team to make it to a fifth Champions Trophy final, surpassing any other team's record of three.
Since assuming full-time captaincy in February 2022, Rohit has led India to numerous record-breaking achievements. In just three years, he has propelled India to the finals of every ICC tournament, positioning him as the first skipper to accomplish this. Notably, he led India to victory in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
Throughout the Champions Trophy, Rohit consistently delivered pivotal runs during the powerplay, embracing the role of aggressor within the initial ten overs to capitalize on favorable batting conditions.
Across four matches, Rohit amassed 104 runs at an average of 26.00 and a strike rate of 107.21, with a top score of 41. In the semi-final against Australia, he contributed 28 runs from 29 balls, including three fours and a six.