Champions Trophy: Gill Rejects Rohit, Kohli Retirement Speculation, Affirms India's Resolve in the Final

Dubai, March 8 (NationPress) Amid increasing rumors regarding the ODI futures of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli after the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India's vice-captain Shubman Gill firmly stated that there are no discussions about retirement happening within the Indian dressing room.

While cricket analysts speculate that both Rohit and Kohli—two of India's modern batting legends—might consider ending their ODI careers if India secures the trophy, Gill stressed that the team's primary objective is to win the title.

In anticipation of India's crucial final against New Zealand on Sunday, Gill dismissed the retirement conversation, declaring, "There is no talk about retirement in the dressing room right now. We have not discussed this at the moment. All the chatter is about winning the match. And what we have to do to win the match. I think Rohit is thinking about the same. I think he is focusing on winning the Champions Trophy first. I think once the match gets over tomorrow, he will take a call, but I have not heard of this from anyone in the team," Shubman mentioned during the press briefing.

Reflecting on India's robust batting unit, Gill praised the squad's experience and depth.

"This is the best batting lineup I have been a part of. Rohit is one of the best openers in the world, and as for Virat, we don’t need to say much about him. But our team’s depth allows the top order to play with more freedom," he asserted.

As India's standout ODI batter over the last two years, Gill recognized the significance of seizing crucial match situations.

"It is very important to make an impact in big matches. As a batter, you want to do that in every game, but it's impossible to score a 50 or 100 every time. In big games, you try to give yourself a few extra balls before playing your shots," he elaborated.

India's defeat in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia still resonates with fans, but Gill believes the team has learned valuable lessons from that experience and is eager to advance further this time.

"We are all excited for the final. Last time, we couldn't win the 50-over World Cup, but we are determined to get the job done this time," he remarked.

Recognizing the pressure of a high-stakes match, Gill emphasized the necessity of maintaining composure.

"There will be big-match pressure, but whichever team handles it better will win the final. We just need to treat it like any other match. We have played four games here and performed well, so there is no added pressure on us," he clarified.

When questioned about India’s recent challenges in ICC finals, Gill suggested that once a team clinches a major trophy, the burden of expectations lessens.

"Once you get one title and break the jinx, you are no longer desperate to win the next one. Desperation is not a good thing. I’m not saying we aren’t hungry—we are—but we are not desperate," he pointed out.

Beyond personal achievements, Gill underscored the significance of team solidarity during high-pressure circumstances.

"We do not focus on individual mistakes, but on how we can collectively take the pressure off each other. Supporting a teammate is as crucial as scoring a hundred or taking five wickets. You might not see these things on the field, but they contribute significantly to success," he concluded.