India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, put an end to all the speculation about his future in One Day Internationals (ODIs) after leading the team to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy. He made it clear that he has no plans to retire from the format anytime soon.
There had been a lot of talk about Rohit’s future, both as a player and captain, especially after the Australia tour. However, his brilliant knock of 76 runs in the final against New Zealand proved his importance to the team, silencing all doubts.
“I’m not retiring from ODIs. Stop the rumors, please,” Rohit Sharma said after India’s four-wicket win over New Zealand in Dubai.
No Immediate Retirement Plans
When asked about his future in ODIs, Rohit Sharma made it clear that he isn’t making any big decisions right now.
“I have no future plans. Things will go on as they are,” he said.
Rohit Sharma on His Aggressive Power Play Strategy
Rohit Sharma explained that his attacking approach in the Power Play was a planned move. The Indian captain started strong, scoring 49 runs in the first 10 overs before getting out for 76 off 83 balls.
“I haven’t changed anything from my last 3-4 matches. I know how important it is to score quickly in the Power Play because, after 10 overs, it gets harder when the field spreads and spinners come in,” Rohit said.
The slow Dubai pitch also influenced his decision to be more aggressive early on.
“The pitch was quite slow, so I had to play aggressively early on. I analyzed which bowlers I could attack and where I could play my shots. After the first 10 overs, I adjusted my game to stay longer at the crease,” he added.
Rohit Sharma on the Joy of Helping India Win
Indian captain Rohit Sharma shared his happiness about playing a key role in India’s title-winning victory.
“Winning a match and playing a part in it feels truly rewarding. In the 2019 World Cup, I scored a lot of runs, but since we didn’t win, it didn’t feel as meaningful. Even if you score fewer runs, the real happiness comes from helping the team lift the trophy,” he said.
Rohit on KL Rahul’s Key Role at No. 6
KL Rahul’s move to No. 6 has been a hot topic, and Rohit Sharma explained the reasoning behind it.
“We wanted someone who stays calm under pressure, and KL fits that role perfectly in the middle order. Plus, we also wanted to include a left-hander like Axar Patel, which worked well for us.”
Even though Rahul hasn’t scored big runs, his contributions have been vital.
“He has been handling tough situations for the team for years. His knocks in both the semifinal and final were crucial. Sometimes, a steady 30-40 runs can be game-changing, especially in a chase. Having a composed player like him makes a big difference,” Rohit added.
Shreyas Iyer’s Key Role in India’s Victory
Rohit Sharma praised Shreyas Iyer for his crucial performances at No. 4, highlighting how his partnerships played a big role in India’s success.
“He is a vital part of our middle order. His partnerships have been game-changing. His partnership with Virat in the semifinal against Australia was really important. Against Pakistan and New Zealand in the group stage, his contributions made a big difference.”
Iyer’s ability to adjust to match conditions has been a huge asset.
“Even today, after I got out, we needed a steady 50-70 run stand. Shreyas stepped up alongside Axar and delivered. Reading the game and adapting is key, and he did it brilliantly,” Rohit added.
Rohit Sharma dedicated India’s Champions Trophy victory to the country and its passionate fans.
“This win is for the entire nation. No matter where we play, we always feel the love and support from our people. Lifting this trophy brings us immense happiness because we did it for our country,” he said.
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