Rohit Sharma has addressed the ongoing speculation regarding his future in One Day Internationals (ODIs). In a candid conversation with veteran journalist Vimal Kumar, the 37-year-old cricketer expressed that he is not contemplating retirement from ODIs just yet, but he is conscious of when the right moment to step away will arrive.
Rohit reflected on his personal development and how his approach to the game has evolved over time. He stated, "I used to play in a certain way, but now I take my time." He elaborated, "In the past, I would take 30 balls in the first 10 overs and score only 10 runs. Now, if I face 20 balls, I can score 30, 35, or even 40 runs. On good days, scoring 80 runs in the first 10 overs is quite achievable. This is my current mindset," he shared with Vimal Kumar.
"I have achieved what I set out to do; I have scored the runs I was meant to. Now, I want to play cricket differently. I don’t take this for granted. I won’t assume that I will keep scoring 20 or 30 runs indefinitely. The moment I feel I can’t perform as I wish on the field, I will retire. But for now, I know my contributions are beneficial to the team," he emphasized.
With over a decade of experience in ODIs, Rohit Sharma stands as one of India's premier white-ball cricketers. He has amassed 11,168 runs in 273 ODIs, boasting an impressive average of 48.76, which includes multiple double centuries and crucial match-winning performances.
Rohit's leadership has yielded remarkable success for India. Under his captaincy, the team clinched the 2024 T20 World Cup and the Champions Trophy this year, solidifying his legacy as one of India's finest white-ball captains.
After retiring from T20Is following India's victory in the 2024 final in Barbados, Rohit has also concluded his Test career. In 67 Tests, he scored 4,301 runs, with a standout performance of 212 against South Africa in 2019.
Despite having stepped away from T20Is and Test cricket, Rohit confirmed his ongoing commitment to ODIs for the time being. He assured fans that when the time comes for him to retire, it will be on his own terms, guided by his instincts and readiness, rather than external pressures.