Courtesy: BCCI
In the build-up to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, set to be played on Sunday, March 9, at the Dubai International Stadium, a report has emerged that the captaincy future of Rohit Sharma is dependent on the result in the aforementioned contest against New Zealand. It is understood that the outcome of the Champions Trophy final will essentially kick-start the preparation of Team India not only for the ODI World Cup 2027, but also the upcoming two-year World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
Notably, as per the report from the Times of India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wants to have a stable leadership over the course of next two years or so, which is why the result of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final holds a big significance. The sources have indicated that the officials are looking to have a tough discussion in regards to whether to move on from Rohit Sharma as Test and ODI captain.
Rohit still believes there is some cricket left in him: BCCI source
A source close to the BCCI, was quoted as saying on the condition of anonymity, “Rohit still believes there is some cricket left in him. He has been told to communicate his plans going forward. Retiring is his call but there will be another discussion around continuing with captaincy. Rohit himself understands the need to have a stable captain if the team wants to prepare for a World Cup. There have been talks with Kohli too but there doesn’t seem to be much anxiety around him.”
While Rohit Sharma is looking to play more international cricket, at the same time, he understands the need of stability in the captaincy role in preparation of a big tournament like the ODI World Cup. “The board will wait for Rohit’s decision after the Champions Trophy. If by any chance he chooses to retire, then the board will see what needs to be done. One can’t discount the fact that he won the T20 World Cup in July and has led well in the Champions Trophy as well,” the source added.
Axar Patel, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant are in line to get promoted to A category in BCCI central contract list
Moreover, BCCI are expected to announce the annual player retainership before the start of the IPL 2025, but they want to revisit the categories, including A+, in which Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja are currently included, but changes could be made since these three have retired from T20Is. Moreover, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant are in line to get promoted to A category, while Shreyas Iyer might get a new central contract after being snubbed last year.
The final decision on the new BCCI central contract list for the upcoming season might not take much time if India manage to win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 later this week.
