New Delhi: With India set to face New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025 final in Dubai Sunday, speculation has been rife about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s next steps in the One Day International format since the two had announced their T20 retirement after the 2024 T20 World Cup win.
However, India vice-captain Shubman Gill said at the pre-match press conference Saturday that the team dressing room chatter is centred around strategies to win the Champions Trophy, instead of the senior cricketers’ retirement plans.
“All discussions are on how to win the Champions Trophy. About this decision (Rohit’s retirement), there have been no talks in the team or with me. I don’t think Rohit bhai is also thinking about it,” he said.
Gill acknowledged the weight of expectations from the team with respect to the tournament final, but expressed optimism about India’s chances. “We are all excited for the final. Last time, we could not win the 50-over World Cup, but we are determined to win this time,” he said.
Gill added that the team’s depth allows him and his fellow top-order batsmen to play with greater liberty. “This is the best batting line-up that I have been a part of. Rohit is one of the best openers (in the world) and Virat, we need not tell about him. But our team has depth in batting and that allows the top order to bat with a bit more freedom,” said India’s top run-scorer in ODI format in 2025.
Meanwhile, after an X user allegedly misquoted Ravichandran Ashwin to claim that he said Kohli would soon retire, the former Indian off-spinner swiftly responded with a tongue-in-cheek rebuttal.
A fake quote was allegedly fabricated by the X user, who claimed that Ashwin had said on his YouTube channel that Rohit Sharma is targeting the 2027 ODI World Cup, while Virat Kohli might retire soon to spend more time with his family. The post gained traction quickly, prompting Ashwin to step in and clarify.
Ashwin wrote, “Heartwarming to see humans still excelling at creative storytelling in this AI era. Nice script but maybe check with me next time before casting me in the lead role?”
Heartwarming to see humans still excelling at creative storytelling in this AI era. Nice script but maybe check with me next time before casting me in the lead role? https://t.co/Kf2worJI30
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) March 8, 2025
The all-rounder had announced his retirement from international cricket after the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year.
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Other seniors in question
Kohli and Sharma were not the only ones to retire from T20 Internationals after India’s 2024 World Cup win. Ravindra Jadeja, India’s star all-rounder, had also hung up his T20I boots.
At 36, Jadeja is also in the second half of his cricketing career, adding to the speculation surrounding his future.
The retirement of Steve Smith from ODIs, following Australia’s semifinal exit after losing to India in the Champions Trophy, has further fuelled speculation about the futures of the senior cricketers.
Another name, whose ODI future is under speculation, is New Zealand’s star batter Kane Williamson. With New Zealand set to play their sixth ICC men’s final, Williamson’s involvement in five previous finals has sparked questions about how long he will continue to play for the Black Caps.
At the pre-match conference, he said, “Regardless of whether it’s my last or not, that’d be nice, wouldn’t it? It’s a final, so it’s exciting.”
In 2023, after New Zealand’s win over Sri Lanka, Williamson had remarked, “I am not that old, and I am really enjoying the challenges that come in the international game.”
(Edited by Mannat Chugh)
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