Rohit Sharma to retire after Champions Trophy? BCCI puts forward one demand to cricketer

MUMBAI: Reports suggest that the BCCI has started discussions regarding the future of the Indian cricket team’s ODI and Test captain Rohit Sharma. The board has reportedly asked him to clarify his future plans after the Champions Trophy series. This has further fueled speculation that Rohit might retire from international cricket.

After leading India to victory in the T20 World Cup last year, Rohit retired from T20Is. Although he continued playing ODIs and Test matches, his lack of form became a major concern. With India losing the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy, fans have started demanding his retirement. In an attempt to regain his form, Rohit, alongside senior players like Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, played in the Ranji Trophy but failed to make an impact there as well.

Following India’s defeat to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, the BCCI had requested Rohit to help build a strong team for the 2027 World Cup. The board is now looking for a consistent leader for the next ODI World Cup and is seeking Rohit’s opinion on the matter. If he fails to perform well in the upcoming England series and Champions Trophy, his captaincy could be in jeopardy.

In Tests, Jasprit Bumrah is the most likely candidate to replace Rohit as captain. India had secured a victory in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy under Bumrah’s captaincy. However, his fitness remains a concern after he faced injury threats towards the end of the series. Shubman Gill is another potential option for the leadership role, but the 25-year-old is currently struggling with form. As an alternative, Rishabh Pant is being considered for the future captaincy. Alongside him, the BCCI is also assessing Yashasvi Jaiswal as a potential leader for the Indian cricket team.