‘Must have that goal…’: Australia legend gives MASSIVE statement on Rohit Sharma’s future with Indian team

Ponting gives huge statement on Rohit's future with Indian team

Legendary Australia skipper Ricky Ponting believes Rohit Sharma is still going strong and a sense of unfinished business was behind his decision to continue playing and leading India in the 50-over format until the 2027 ODI World Cup to be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

“When you start getting to that point of your career, everyone’s waiting for you to retire. And I don’t know why, when you can still play as well as he’s played (in the Champions Trophy final), I think he was just trying to put those questions to bed once and for all and say, ‘no, I’m still playing well enough. I love playing in this team. I love leading this team.’ And I think, the fact that he said that, to me, it means that he must have that goal in mind of playing in the next (50-over) World Cup (in 2027),” Ponting stated.

Barring the ODI World Cup, Rohit has won all ICC titles while captaining India. He came agonizingly close to laying his hands on the 50-over world title at home in 2023, only to lose to Australia in the final.

Handed the responsibility of captaincy in 2021 at the age of 34, Rohit on Sunday clinched his second ICC title following the T20 World Cup win last year as India defeated New Zealand by four wickets to win the Champions Trophy here.

Chasing 252 in the final of the recently-concluded ICC tournament, Rohit, 38, led from the front with an 83-ball 76 at the top to set the platform for a comfortable win.

It will be interesting to see if Rohit will be able to retain his fitness fit and lead India in the 2027 ODI World Cup.