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Indian captain Rohit Sharma is in the final phase of his illustrious career. After already retiring from T20Is and with his Test captaincy under scrutiny following India’s struggles against Australia and New Zealand, his future in ODI cricket is now a subject of speculation.
As per a Dainik Jagran report citing BCCI sources, Rohit could retire from ODIs if India loses the Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand. However, if India wins the title, there is still uncertainty about whether he will continue as captain or step down and make way for a new leader before the 2027 ODI World Cup.
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Will Rohit Sharma Continue in ODIs After Champions Trophy 2025?
The report suggests that if India wins the Champions Trophy, Rohit might step down as captain while continuing to play as a senior member of the squad. This move would allow India to groom a new captain well in advance of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
If India loses the final, Rohit is expected to retire from ODI cricket entirely, bringing an end to an exceptional career that saw him lead India to the 2023 ODI World Cup final, 2024 T20 World Cup title, and now another ICC final in the Champions Trophy.
Who Could Replace Rohit Sharma as India’s Next ODI Captain?
With Rohit’s possible departure, the BCCI will be keen to identify a long-term leader who can take India forward. Here are the top contenders for the role:
1. Shubman Gill (Current ODI Vice-Captain)
✅ Pros:
- Already serving as India’s ODI vice-captain.
- A young leader (24 years old) who can provide long-term stability.
- Has captained Gujarat Titans in IPL, showing signs of leadership skills.
❌ Cons:
- Inexperienced as an international captain; hasn’t led India in any format.
- Has not yet proven his leadership abilities at the highest level.
2. Hardik Pandya (All-Rounder & Former Vice-Captain)
✅ Pros:
- One of India’s most experienced white-ball cricketers.
- Led Gujarat Titans to IPL glory in 2022 and was MI’s captain in IPL 2024.
- Aggressive and fearless captaincy style.
❌ Cons:
- Injury concerns remain a big factor; previously ruled out of T20 captaincy due to fitness issues.
- Hasn’t played a full ODI series in a while, raising concerns about workload management.
3. KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper-Batsman & Former Captain)
✅ Pros:
- Has captained India before in ODIs and Tests.
- Led India in the 2023 Asia Cup when Rohit was rested.
- A calm and composed leader with good tactical awareness.
❌ Cons:
- Inconsistent performances in the ODI format.
- Injury concerns have affected his availability in the past.
Who Has the Best Chance to Be India’s Next Captain?
- Shubman Gill is the front-runner given that he is already the vice-captain.
- Hardik Pandya is a strong contender but needs to prove his fitness and commitment to the ODI format.
- KL Rahul remains a backup option if BCCI doesn’t want to hand over leadership to a completely young player.
Final Thoughts
If Rohit Sharma steps down after the Champions Trophy 2025, India will need to find a stable leader who can take them into the 2027 ODI World Cup cycle. The decision will likely be between Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, and KL Rahul, depending on the team’s long-term vision and strategy.
For now, all eyes are on the Champions Trophy final, where Rohit Sharma might be playing his last match as India’s ODI captain.
