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Rohit Sharma, the captain of the Indian cricket team, achieved a career highlight by leading his squad to victory in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, fulfilling a long-cherished ambition. Following this triumph, along with Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, he announced his retirement from T20I cricket, marking the end of an era in their respective careers.
Despite stepping down from T20Is, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja will continue to actively contribute to the Indian team in Test and ODI formats. This decision was affirmed by BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who confirmed Rohit Sharma’s leadership role in upcoming prestigious tournaments such as the ICC World Test Championship 2023–25 final and the ICC Champions Trophy 2024.
Recently, the Indian team, under Rohit’s captaincy, demonstrated their prowess by clinching the T20I series against Zimbabwe with a commanding 4-1 scoreline. Looking ahead, they are scheduled to embark on a tour to Sri Lanka for a series featuring three T20Is and three ODIs from July to August. There is speculation that Rohit Sharma might be rested during the ODI leg of this series, reflecting the team management’s strategy towards workload management and squad rotation.
Rohit Sharma considers the entire T20 World Cup 2024 squad his favorite players.
Meanwhile, India’s ODI and Test captain has expressed his admiration for his favorite player, and it’s a heartfelt choice. Rohit Sharma has stated that every player from India’s 2024 T20 World Cup-winning squad holds a special place as his favorite. In a light-hearted moment, the right-hander also quipped that he counts himself among his own fans as a player.
Rohit Sharma during a public appearance at a promotional event in the US was asked to name his favorite Indian player besides himself, to which he responded: “Right now, besides me, all 14 of the players who played in the World Cup.” He has also opened up about his retirement plans when he was asked where he sees himself in the next 10–15 years.
The Indian skipper has clearly said that he doesn’t look that far ahead, but he will play for India for a few more years. Rohit said at the same event, “I don’t look that far ahead. So clearly, you will see me playing, at least for a while.”
I want to promote the game as much as possible: Rohit Sharma
Speaking on the future of cricket in the US, Rohit said, “It is quite impressive. And you can clearly see the way the US team played in the World Cup this year. They played really good cricket. But the Indians were more in the team, and it was good to see how they have progressed. And what excites me the most is the grass root level. I really want to try and promote the game as much as possible. And it starts with the grass root level.”
Earlier, Rohit had said while announcing his retirement from T20I cricket: “This was my last (T20I) game as well. There is no better time to say goodbye to this format. I’ve loved every moment of this.”
Rohit Sharma concluded his T20I career with an impressive tally of 4231 runs from 159 matches, making him the highest run-scorer in the format. His record also boasts the most centuries (5) in T20I cricket.
