Rohit Sharma Clarifies Future After T20I Retirement
Following his recent retirement from T20 Internationals, India captain Rohit Sharma has shed light on his plans for playing in longer formats of the game. Rohit, who led India to the T20 World Cup 2024 title last month, announced his retirement from T20Is shortly after the victory. At a recent event in Dallas, Rohit discussed his future in cricket, expressing confidence in his ongoing contributions to the sport.
“I just said it. I don’t go that far ahead. So clearly, you will be seeing me play for a while,” Rohit remarked at the event.
Rohit’s T20I career has been illustrious, with 4,231 runs in 159 matches, making him the format’s top scorer as he bows out. He holds the record for the most hundreds (five) in T20 Internationals and has been part of two T20 World Cup-winning teams: as a player in 2007 and as captain in 2024.
Both Rohit and Virat Kohli decided to step away from T20 Internationals after the World Cup victory. However, Rohit will continue to lead the Indian team in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Test matches.
The T20 World Cup final against South Africa also marked the end of Rahul Dravid’s tenure as the head coach of the Indian team. Rohit shared a touching farewell message for Dravid on Instagram, highlighting the strong bond they shared.
“Dear Rahul bhai, I have been trying to find the right words to properly express my feelings on this but I’m not sure I ever will so here’s my attempt,” Rohit wrote in his post.
Rohit praised Dravid’s humility and his ability to connect with the players on a personal level. He mentioned how his wife, Ritika Sajdeh, affectionately refers to Dravid as Rohit’s “work wife.”
“Since my childhood days I have looked up to you just like billions of others but I was lucky enough to get to work with you this closely. You are an absolute stalwart of this game but you left all of your accolades and achievements at the door and walked in as our coach and came on a level where we all felt comfortable enough to say just about anything to you. That is your gift, your humility and your love for this game even after all this time. I have learnt so much from you and every memory will be cherished. My wife refers to you as my work wife and I’m lucky to get to call you that too,” Rohit wrote.
He added, “This was the only thing missing from your arsenal and I’m so happy that we got to achieve it together. Rahul bhai, it has been an absolute privilege to get to call you my confidant, my coach, and my friend.”
As Rohit Sharma continues his journey in ODIs and Tests, his legacy in T20Is remains significant. His leadership and performances have left an indelible mark on Indian cricket, and his future contributions in the longer formats are eagerly anticipated by fans and teammates alike.
