ICC Champions Trophy 2025 told to be Rohit Sharma's last tournament
Published - 23 Feb 2025, 11:23 AM | Updated - 23 Feb 2025, 11:34 AM
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Former Indian batter and cricket expert Sanjay Manjrekar has dropped a bombshell on Rohit Sharma’s journey in international cricket, as he predicted that the Team India captain might not be considered for the next ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 in South Africa.
With the ODI World Cup 2027 seemingly out of his reach, Sanjay Manjrekar believes that the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 could be the last dance for Rohit Sharma in the global event.
Manjrekar believes Rohit should approach the high-stakes clash against Pakistan with a free mind, not with the weight of a farewell, but as an opportunity to unleash his trademark batting brilliance.
Sanjay Manjrekar drops big prediction on Rohit Sharma’s future in ICC events
The 37-year-old has been a pillar of India's batting lineup, and if this is indeed Rohit’s last ICC event, the cricket pandit wants the seasoned opener to take the field with complete freedom, focusing solely on going out in his aggressive style to make every match memorable for him and fans.
Sanjay Manjrekar was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo: “I have a feeling (that) if he has decided, I mean, can Rohit Sharma be there for the 2027 Cricket World Cup? I don't think so; very unlikely. So, then, this could be, what you are suggesting, could be the final tournament.
I'm expecting Rohit Sharma to go out there, and he should be liberated not so much by this being his sort of swansong or whatever, just by the fact that so much quality batting is to come (from him).”
Rohit Sharma shows glimpses of 2023 ODI World Cup heroics
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma carried forward his form from the 2023 ODI World Cup into the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. In India’s opening match against Bangladesh, the Hitman provided his team with an aggressive start on a slow Dubai pitch against the Tigers.
Staying true to his attacking style, the right-handed opener played a selfless knock of 41 off 36 balls and set the tone for India’s six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in their tournament opener on February 20.
With this selfless knock that came after his stunning century in the recent ODI series against England at home, Rohit silenced his doubters, as there was a lot of noise about the skipper’s form with the bat leading into the prestigious tournament.
Following Rohit’s confident approach and strong start in the Champions Trophy 2025, Sanjay Manjrekar highlighted how the Hitman’s popularity soared during the 2023 World Cup.
Would love to see a selfless captain in ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Sanjay Manjrekar
The commentator mentioned how Rohit prioritized giving India a strong start over personal milestones and won many hearts, and now he wants the same template from the captain in his last ICC event that is the ongoing Champions Trophy.
Manjrekar signed off by saying, “2023 World Cup (in India) Rohit Sharma's popularity soared. What they loved about Rohit Sharma is that they saw the captain was selfless, went out there… (he) could have got a hundred but (instead) gave a great flying start to the team and made things easier for the players coming after him.”
Notably, Rohit already retired from T20I cricket last year after winning the T20 World Cup, and then India didn’t qualify for the ICC WTC Final, so the next ICC event for him would be the ODI World Cup in 2027, and there are very slim chances of him being part of that event.
