Team India veteran opener Rohit Sharmaexuded confidence with his bat in the three-match ODI series against Australia down under. After failing to be effective in the first ODI at the Optus Stadium, Rohit looked
disciplined in Adelaide and Sydney. In the final ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Rohit hammered an unbeaten 121 off 125 and helped India chase down 237 runs and claim a nine-wicket win. Rohit’s extraordinary batting not only earned him the player of the match (POTM) but also helped him conclude the competition as the player of the series (POTS).
Before the series, there was a section among Team Indiafans who believed Rohit might retire from international cricket following its conclusion. However, after the series, Rohit’s childhood coach Dinesh Lad has said that Sharma is eager to serve India until the ODI World Cup 2027 to be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
"This is a special moment. 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.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," said Lad in a chat with PTI.
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Rohit Sharma expected to end the year on a high note
In 2025, Rohit Sharma has played 11 matches so far, in which he notched up 504 runs with a couple of hundreds and two fifties, at an average of 50.40. India will play their final ODI series of the year against South Africa at home and Rohit will be expected to end 2025 on a high note.
In the three-match ODI series to be played at home, the 38-year-old will look to come heavily on bowlers to help India vanquish the Proteas. With young openers such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhishek Sharma waiting for their chances in ODI cricket, Rohit will have to deliver impactful knocks to the team consistently to keep himself relevant in the squad.
