One of the spiciest rumours surrounding Indian cricket is the retirement of the likes of star duo, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Speaking about the latter, his childhood coach has addressed retirement plans, dismissing all rumours and stories surrounding the Indian captain.
Rohit Sharma recently retired from the T20I format after leading the team to the T20 World Cup 2024 triumph in Barbados in June. The 36-year-old ended his T20I career at the peak of his game, while still remaining to lead India in the longer formats.
As per Jay Shah, the current secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rohit will continue to lead the Men in Blue in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the World Test Championship final (2025), should India qualify for the game in London.
While stories of Rohit's retirement do the rounds in the media, his childhood coach has revealed something that would light up the eyes of all Indian fans!
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What did Rohit Sharma's childhood coach say about his international retirement?
Rohit Sharma's childhood coach, Dinesh Lad is in Delhi for his duties as Mumbai's U19 head coach. Lad has been preparing his young colts for the Vinoo Mankad Trophy.
Amidst the preparations, he spoke to media outlet Dainik Jagran where he opened up about his former student and current India captain, Rohit Sharma, Lad revealed that the 36-year-old had no plans of hanging up his boots from the sport.
He said, "No, look, I am not saying that Rohit Sharma will announce his retirement after the World Test Championship, though he might," Lad said on if Rohit would retire at the end of the ongoing WTC cycle."
However, he also admitted that the former Mumbai Indians skipper might call it a day in the red-ball format, to focus on the 50-over game. That being said, Lad confirmed Rohit's availability for the next ICC ODI World Cup, scheduled for 2027.
Rohit led India to the final of the recent ICC ODI World Cup 2023, as India faced a heart-breaking defeat at the hands of Australia in Ahmedabad.
Lad added, "As he is getting older, it seems like he could retire from Test cricket. The reason could be that he wants to keep himself fully fit for one-day cricket. However, I am 100 percent certain that Rohit Sharma will play in the 2027 One-Day World Cup. The kind of cricket he is playing is incredible."
रोहित शर्मा के बचपन के कोच दिनेश लाड ने कहा कि रोहित 2027 वनडे विश्व कप खेलेंगे। pic.twitter.com/T9lL2apjke
— Abhishek Tripathi / अभिषेक त्रिपाठी (@abhishereporter) October 7, 2024
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What did Rohit Sharma say on his retirement plans?
In an episode of 'Breakfast with Champions' earlier this year, Rohit Sharma dismissed all plans of him retiring from international cricket. Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, the Indian captain was diplomatic when asked on the show about his retirement, appearing alongside British music sensation, Ed Sheeran.
Rohit revealed his dream to win the ODI World Cup, while also lifting the ICC World Test Championship 2025 by playing and winning the final at Lord's in June 2025.
I haven't really thought about retirement. But, I don't know where life takes you. I am playing well at the moment and I am thinking of continuing for a few more years, Rohit admitted on 'Breakfast with Champions'.
I really want to win that World Cup (ODI WC). We have grown up watching the 50-over World Cup. There is the World Test Championship final happening at Lord's in 2025. Hopefully, we will make it there, he desired.
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What is Rohit Sharma's record for India?
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 50s/100s | High score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 61 | 4179 | 43.98 | 57.28 | 17/12 | 212 |
| ODI | 265 | 10866 | 49.16 | 92.43 | 57/31 | 264 |
| T20I | 159 | 4231 | 32.05 | 140.89 | 32/5 | 121* |
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