Indian captain Rohit Sharma has put an end to rumors about his retirement from One Day Internationals (ODIs) following India’s historic Champions Trophy victory against New Zealand in Dubai.
Playing a crucial role in the final, Sharma contributed a quickfire 76 runs and made it clear that he has no intention of stepping away from the format anytime soon.
“I am not retiring from ODIs… Please ensure that no false rumors are spread,” Sharma asserted after leading India to their third Champions Trophy title.
Read more: India Defeat New Zealand to Win Champions Trophy
India’s Long-Awaited ICC Glory
With this victory, India secured an ICC trophy after 11 years, having previously won the 2024 T20 World Cup. This win also served as redemption after their heartbreaking loss to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final on home soil.
Reflecting on the strategy for the 50-over tournament, Sharma credited India’s success to their strong spin attack.
“Since the matches were scheduled in Dubai, we decided to go with four spinners, considering the pitches had undergone extensive play. We knew spinners could be the game-changers,” Sharma explained.
India remained unbeaten throughout the eight-team tournament, which was co-hosted by Pakistan and the UAE. However, due to political tensions, India played all their matches in Dubai. The victory also placed India ahead of Australia, who had won the tournament twice, adding to their previous Champions Trophy wins in 2002 and 2013.
Kohli Reflects on Team Effort and Future
Star batsman Virat Kohli, who played a key role in India’s unbeaten campaign, praised the team’s resilience and credited the younger players for their performances.
“It has been an incredible journey. After a tough tour of Australia, we were determined to make a strong comeback. It was amazing to play alongside such talented youngsters,” Kohli said.
Kohli was among the top performers, amassing 218 runs in five innings, including a crucial knock against Pakistan in the group stage. He emphasized the significance of collective contributions in high-pressure tournaments.
“To win major titles, every member of the team has to step up at different moments. We saw match-winning performances in various games, whether with the bat or the ball. That teamwork is what led us to success,” he added.
Leadership and the Next Generation
As one of India’s most experienced cricketers, Kohli also spoke about his role in mentoring the next generation of players.
“I always try to guide the younger guys, share my experiences, and help them understand what it takes to play at this level for a long time. When I step away, I want to leave the team in a stronger position. Players like Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul have all delivered impactful performances,” he noted.
With back-to-back ICC trophies and a dominant run in the Champions Trophy, India has once again solidified its status as the leading ODI team in world cricket, achieving another significant milestone in their recent success across formats.
