Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar wondered if Rohit Sharma could be playing his last ICC event in Champions Trophy. The India cricket team captain, who is 37-years-old currently, is unlikely to feature in the next ODI World Cup which is scheduled to be held in 2027. Manjrekar advised Rohit to play in the CT 2025 without much attention to the noise from outside suggesting that this could be his farewell tournament.
No Rohit Sharma in 2027 ODI World Cup?
Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Manjrekar said that Rohit must go out feeling liberated by the fact that there was still quality batting left in his tank. He noted that the Hitman’s popularity soared in the 2023 World Cup when the selfless captain put the team ahead of his individual record.
“I have a feeling (that) if he has decided, I mean can Rohit Sharma be there for the 2027 Cricket World Cup? I don’t think so, very unlikely. So, then, this could be, what you are suggesting, could be the final tournament,” said Manjrekar said.
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“I’m expecting Rohit Sharma to go out there and he should be actually liberated not so much by this being his sort of swansong or whatever, just by the fact that so much of quality batting to come (from him),” added Manjrekar.
Going by Gautam Gambhir’s strong belief in the left-right approach, it isn’t going to be too long before Yashasvi Jaiswal will be made a permanent part of the ODIs too. This would mean he would open with potential future captain Shubman Gill. Now, this in turn means that Rohit has to take a call on his career in the 50-over format.
Perhaps, he could take a call in good spirit if he replicates his feat in 2024 where he announced his retirement from T20Is after lifting the World Cup.
