With the conclusion of the Champions Trophy, discussions around the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have intensified, as both players are nearing the final phase of their careers.
While the focus has now shifted to the IPL, fans remain eager to know what lies ahead for India’s senior cricketers. Rohit Sharma, who recently led India to a Champions Trophy triumph, secured his second ICC title as captain and fourth overall in international cricket. He was also named Player of the Match in the final against New Zealand.
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According to a Cricbuzz report, the Indian skipper, who had earlier confirmed that he has no plans to retire from ODIs, is now looking to extend his career until the 2027 World Cup while continuing to play Test cricket. The report also stated that the 37-year-old opener is working with his former Mumbai teammate and coach Abhishek Nayar to maintain his fitness and sustain his game at the highest level.
“It is understood that Rohit intends to prolong his ODI career till the 2027 Men’s Cricket World Cup. If things go according to plan, he might exit international cricket after the quadrennial ICC event, to be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. He will collaborate with Abhishek Nayar, the current assistant coach of the Indian team, to focus on his fitness, batting, and approach,” the Cricbuzz report mentioned.
Rohit Sharma’s Recent Form Raises Concerns
Despite Rohit’s undeniable ability, his performances have been inconsistent in recent times. In the Champions Trophy, he struggled to deliver big scores before the final, managing only 180 runs across five matches at an average of 36.
His struggles in Test cricket have also been a talking point, especially after his underwhelming performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. During that series, he registered the lowest batting average for an Indian captain on an Australia tour, a record he will be keen to improve in future assignments.
India’s Next Challenge
Following the IPL, the Indian team will travel to England for a five-match Test series. This series presents a major challenge, as India has not won a Test series in England since 2007 under Rahul Dravid’s captaincy. Their most recent tour in 2021 ended in a 2-2 draw.
