Rohit Sharma is going nowhere after the Australia ODI series. India’s ODI great and former captain put to rest months of speculation about his future in 50-over cricket. Speaking to a Make-A-Wish child in a now-viral video, Rohit Sharma promised that he will be playing in the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup — and that he is determined to help India lift the one trophy that has eluded him so far.
The 38-year-old’s declaration arrives amid a wave of uncertainty surrounding his ODI career. Having retired from T20Is after leading India to their 2024 T20 World Cup title and stepping away from Test cricket earlier this year, ODIs remain the only active international format for Rohit Sharma — as well as for his long-time teammate Virat Kohli.
Rohit Sharma came painfully close to ODI World Cup glory in 2023, when he led a dominant Indian side all the way to the final before suffering a heartbreaking loss to Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Since that defeat, questions around his fitness, form, and future have only grown louder.
However, the star batter has shown renewed focus ahead of India’s upcoming tour of Australia. Reports suggest that Rohit Sharma has shed close to 10 kilograms during an intense training phase under former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar. The commitment appears to reflect his ambition to remain a force in the format he once dominated as captain.
Impressed by his commitment, Former Indian player Pravin Amre calls on the Indian team management to allow Rohit Sharma the freedom to settle into his specialist batting role after his exit as the captain of the team. Rohit will start a new stint as Shubman Gill has taken over as the ODI captain.
Pravin Amre believes that opener Rohit Sharma should be given ample time to settle
Former India coach Pravin Amre has urged restraint and patience from the cricket board regarding Rohit Sharma’s adaptation to a new role as he starts his stint post ODI captaincy. Rohit stepped down from captaincy, handing leadership responsibilities to Shubman Gill. Rohit played 56 matches as coach and won 42 of them.
This ODI series takes on additional significance as the team revises its core leadership with Gill taking over and uncertainties persist over the long-term positions of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Amre repeated his stance that Sharma, newly relieved of captaincy after the 2025 Champions Trophy, ought to be permitted to re-establish himself as a dedicated batter, without added demands.
Former India cricketer Pravin Amre has said that Rohit Sharma is the seniormost player in the current setup and he should play like one, adding that with the burden of captaincy gone, this is the correct time for him to evolve as a match-winner, in the final phase of his career. Rohit Sharma embraced the skipper’s role by reinventing his batting approach at the top of the order. Leading with intent, he played a pivotal role in steering India into the era of modern cricket marked by aggression.
Pravin Amre requested that the team management give Rohit time to settle back into the ODI team, considering his long absence and the new leadership setup.
“He is the most senior player in this team, and I think he should play like that. Team management should also give that room for him to grow, give time now, and just enjoy his batting. I think the more he enjoys his batting, the more of a match-winner he can become. Also, he won’t have the burden of captaincy, so we want the match-winner Rohit now. I think he is still capable of that,” Amre told RevSportz.
The former Indian cricketer recalled seeing a transformed Rohit Sharma, who returned from the off-season in top shape after an intense fitness regime.Amre further highlighted the extensive attention Sharma has given his physical preparation ahead of this comeback.
“I was there when he was doing training at BKC. When I saw him, I told him that a fit body will have a fit mind, because he has worked really hard for the last six months to reduce 10 kilos,” Amre commented.
Rohit Sharma’s long-term future with the team is a doubt at the moment, with many wondering if he will be in the team by the time the 2027 World Cup rolls in. Amre said, for now, things should be taken one series at a time with Rohit Sharma and he should be allowed to enjoy his cricket.
“I think let’s take one series at a time, let’s focus on that. Let him enjoy his cricket, because he does not have to prove anything. What we should allow him is to let him enjoy his cricket,” Amre said.
India’s upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, beginning October 19 at the Optus Stadium in Perth, will mark Rohit’s return to international cricket following India’s unbeaten Champions Trophy triumph in March. It also serves as an important chapter in his build-up to the 2027 World Cup, which is set to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
While the BCCI has officially handed the ODI captaincy to Shubman Gill, both Rohit and Kohli have been retained in the squad — a move aimed at ensuring a seamless transition while preserving the wealth of experience the duo brings. For a relatively young team navigating challenging overseas conditions, their presence could prove pivotal both on and off the field.Rohit Sharma was seen in good touch during the first nets session on Thursday, October 16.
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