Rohit Aims for 2027 WC, Not Retiring from ODIs: Ponting
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Ricky Ponting believes Rohit Sharma's decision to continue playing ODIs signals his goal of participating in the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup following India's success in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Key Takeaways
- Rohit Sharma aims for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
- He recently led India to victory in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
- Speculations about his retirement have been dismissed.
- Ponting suggests unfinished business influences Rohit’s decision.
- Rohit is motivated to reclaim championship titles.
New Delhi, March 12 (NationPress) Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting asserts that Rohit Sharma's decision not to retire from ODIs indicates his ambition to compete in the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup.
Rohit secured his second ICC title as the leader of India when the team triumphed over New Zealand by four wickets, clinching the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai. Speculation had circulated regarding Rohit's potential retirement from ODIs, reminiscent of his exit from T20Is after leading India to a World Cup victory in Barbados the previous year.
However, the captain, who earned the Player of the Final award with a top score of 76, dismissed these rumors following his Champions Trophy win. “As you approach certain stages in your career, people anticipate your retirement,” he stated.
“I don’t understand why, especially when you continue to perform as well as he did in the final. I believe he wanted to silence those inquiries once and for all and assert, ‘No, I’m still capable. I enjoy playing for this team. I cherish leading this team.’ This, to me, suggests he must have a target in mind for the next 50-over World Cup in 2027,” Ponting remarked on The ICC Review show.
Rohit had guided India to the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup final on home turf but faced a painful six-wicket loss against Australia, led by Pat Cummins, during the title match at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Ponting believes that a feeling of unfinished business might be driving Rohit’s choice to continue leading the Indian team until the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
“The fact that they lost the last one, with him as captain, could be a factor weighing on his mind. He likely wants another shot at winning the T20 World Cup, the Champions Trophy, and the ODI World Cup. Given his performance in the Champions Trophy final, it’s hard to argue that his time has come to an end just yet,” he concluded.
