Rohit Sharma's initial responsibility following the triumph in the Champions Trophy was to dispel the ongoing retirement rumours that had circulated even before the team arrived in Dubai for the ICC tournament. "I want to clarify that I have no intention of retiring from this format, to prevent any further speculation," he stated. At 37 years old, he did not specify an end date for his career but indicated that he remains open to participating in the 2027 ODI World Cup. Recent reports suggest that Rohit is already focused on this 50-over tournament in South Africa, with India’s assistant coach Abhishek Nayar playing a pivotal role in his strategy.

As reported by Cricbuzz, Rohit aims to extend his ODI career until the 2027 World Cup, aspiring to secure a third ICC title to enhance his distinguished captaincy record before concluding his white-ball career. He had previously retired from T20 internationals in June of the previous year after leading India to victory in the T20 World Cup in Barbados.

Sources have also confirmed to the website that Rohit has "developed a strategy to maintain his fitness and competitiveness for the upcoming event in Africa." Central to this strategy is his former Mumbai teammate, Nayar, who is expected to assist him in "focusing on his fitness, batting, and overall approach."

"Nayar is anticipated to play a significant role in Rohit's plans, as he is recognized as a highly knowledgeable coach employing contemporary techniques and methodologies. Numerous players within the Indian team, including KL Rahul, have either collaborated with him or are currently doing so. Rahul has acknowledged Nayar's influence on multiple occasions regarding the guidance he received and continues to benefit from. Rohit will collaborate with his former Mumbai teammate as part of his preparation," the report stated.

What about Rohit's Test future?

In contrast to his performances in One Day Internationals, his recent displays in Test cricket have been underwhelming, leading him to exclude himself from the playing XI for the Sydney Test against Australia earlier this January. Following a brief period, he attempted a return to the Ranji Trophy, which did not yield successful results, raising questions regarding his future in the traditional format.

The report indicated that while Rohit aims to continue participating in Test cricket, his prospects will largely hinge on the upcoming IPL season. This tournament will precede India's tour of England, where they are scheduled to play a five-Test series in June, and the selectors have yet to decide on the captaincy. When inquired about the likelihood of his inclusion in the series, a reliable source remarked, "Let the IPL conclude first. Only an astrologer would look that far into the future."

Read Also: Dilip Vengsarkar Questions Team Selection: ‘Not Convinced With Axar Ahead of Rahul’ Despite Shreyas Iyer’s Knock

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