Follow UsNot too long ago, Rohit Sharma’s future in ODI cricket looked uncertain, after the 38-year-old got removed from captaincy, with the reins being handed to Shubman Gill in order to prepare for the future. Given Rohit would be touching 40 by the time the 2027 ODI World Cup comes about, it was assumed that the end was near for the former captain, who had already retired from both T20Is and Tests.
However, cut to October 26, 2025, Rohit’s future looks brighter than ever. Not only has the 37-year-old lost 11 KGs and looked the best he has in over a decade, but he’s also now gotten serious runs under his belt, following up a fifty in the second ODI against the Aussies with a stellar unbeaten century in the third game.
Over the last few years, we’ve been used to Rohit sporting a ‘dashy’ avatar up-front, but the fact that, in Sydney, he batted 125 balls in challenging conditions was a testament to both his fitness and his form.
With Rohit still proving that he’s still among the best batters in the world, his childhood coach Dinesh Lad believes that the former skipper will only retire after the 2027 ODI World Cup.
“This is a special moment," Lad told PTI Videos, reported News18.
“There were talks that he was not performing, that he should stop playing cricket, but he played two good innings in the last two matches, 75 (73) first and now 120 (121*), and has shown he is still a top player who’ll still contribute to the country.
“The only secret is his self-confidence. That’s why he hasn’t retired. He wants to play the 2027 World Cup and only retire after that, and he’s preparing for that."
Rohit was not the only batter who proved doubters wrong in Sydney as Virat Kohli, after two ducks, also got back to his best, hammering an unbeaten 74 to guide India home. The pair shared an unbeaten 168-run stand, and Lad spoke about the camaraderie between the duo.
“There were a lot of ugly talks about Virat. A lot of people were saying a lot of bad things. But I had said that he’d perform. Both did well. I want to see them play the 2027 World Cup,” Lad said.
“Many said there was friction between Rohit and Virat, but that’s not true; they are close friends and play for the nation. If that were the case, this partnership and win for the nation wouldn’t have happened.”