Rohit Sharma dismisses retirement talk, targets redemption in ODI World Cup and WTC Final

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma continues to feel the sting from the defeats in the World Test Championship (WTC) and World Cup finals against Australia. Eager for a turnaround, Rohit is not thinking about retirement at all and instead he's focusing on the upcoming editions of these tournaments in 2025 and 2027, hoping to lead his team to victory.

Now 36, Rohit has a storied history with cricket's premier events, having been a part of the team that won the 2007 T20 World Cup. However, he places a greater significance on the traditional 50-over format and still hopes to win it. "I am playing well at the moment and I am thinking of continuing for a few more years. I really want to win that World Cup. The 50-over World Cup is the actual World Cup. We have grown up watching the 50-over World Cup. There is the World Test Championship final happening at Lord's in 2025. Hopefully, we will make it there," Rohit mentioned in a candid conversation on the 'Breakfast With Champions' YouTube chat show, which also featured British pop icon Ed Sheeran.

The memory of the recent World Cup final loss on home soil in Ahmedabad lingers for Rohit. Despite a strong campaign, India fell short in the final, a defeat that Rohit finds difficult to digest. Reflecting on the moments leading up to that pivotal match, he expressed, "When we won the semis, I thought, we were just one step away from it (victory). I thought, what's that one thing that can make us lose that final, and honestly, nothing came to my mind."

However, he concedes that it was simply a bad day for the Indian team while Australia excelled. "We'd ticked all the boxes, we were playing good cricket, confidence was there. But that was one bad day and the Aussies had a very good day. I don't think we played bad cricket in that final," Rohit observed, finding some solace in the fact that it wasn't a lack of skill or preparation but merely an off day that led to their downfall.

In contrast to the World Cup, India's recent success in Test cricket has provided Rohit some comfort. He highlighted India’s impressive 4-1 Test series victory over England, emphasizing the challenges they faced. "You might enter the field with a plan, but when you see things moving differently, you have to change it," he explained. The Indian skipper praised the English team for their aggressive approach, which required his team to adapt their strategy continually.

Discussing the difficulties of playing away from home, Rohit empathized with visiting teams, acknowledging the inherent advantages of familiar conditions. This insight reflects his experience and maturity, understanding both sides of the competitive coin.

Rohit also recounted his most treasured moment in Test cricket, his first century scored during Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell series. "My first hundred was in a Test match at Kolkata. It was Sachin Tendulkar's 199th Test, so the stadium was packed, some 70000 people in the stadium. Probably it was (the best moment)," he reminisced fondly.

On the topic of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Rohit spoke about the evolution of the tournament since its inception in 2008, noting the increasing competitiveness among teams. "IPL has grown so much in the last decade or so and every team is now competitive. I don’t think there is any weak team in the IPL. It is something like EPL first division where any team can beat any team," he shared, appreciating the strategic improvements and technological advancements that have elevated the league's standard.

Reflecting on his experiences playing against cricket legends like Shane Warne, Rohit lauded Warne’s tactical acumen, which he observed both on the field and in commentary, where Warne would often predict plays before they unfolded.

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(With PTI inputs)