Rohit Sharma’s Future As Captain And Retirement: The outcome of Sunday’s ICC Champions Trophy final could have a big impact on India’s plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup and the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. It may also affect Rohit Sharma’s future as captain, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wants to maintain consistent leadership for the next two years.
Impact of Champions Trophy Final on India’s Future Plans
The BCCI is considering changing the captain for ODIs and Tests. Talks about moving on without Rohit as captain are coming soon. New central contracts are also on hold until after the final against New Zealand.
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Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector, and head coach Gautam Gambhir are in regular discussions. Reports suggest that Rohit is open to planning a long-term strategy for the team beyond the Champions Trophy.
“The board will wait for Rohit’s decision after the Champions Trophy. If by any chance he chooses to retire, then the board will see what needs to be done. One can’t discount the fact that he won the T20 World Cup in July and has led well in the Champions Trophy as well,” the source told Times of India
Usually, the BCCI announces its annual player retainership before the IPL, but this year, the board is waiting to see the team’s performance in the Champions Trophy following a disappointing Test season.
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“Rohit still believes there is some cricket left in him. He has been told to communicate his plans going forward. Retiring is his call but there will be another discussion around continuing with captaincy. Rohit himself understands the need to have a stable captain if the team wants to prepare for a World Cup. There have been talks with Kohli too but there doesn’t seem to be much anxiety around him,” a BCCI source told TOI.
BCCI’s Delay in Announcing Central Contracts
One key issue is reviewing the Grade A+ contracts, which currently include Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja. The BCCI prioritizes players who compete in all three formats, but concerns have arisen about Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja, as they’ve retired from T20Is and struggled in Tests. However, a strong performance in the Champions Trophy could help them keep their top contracts.
The board may also consider upgrading players like Axar Patel, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant to Grade A contracts, while Shreyas Iyer is likely to regain his central contract after losing it last year due to disciplinary issues.
Captaincy Transition: Who Will Replace Rohit Sharma?
Virat Kohli’s strong Champions Trophy performance has made him a contender for captain, but past transitions show it takes time. MS Dhoni stepped down early to let Kohli adjust, and Kohli gave Rohit two years before the 2023 World Cup.
With limited options like Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah’s injury issues, selectors may need more time to decide. The Champions Trophy final could determine Rohit’s future as captain.
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