New Delhi, March 13 – Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers has dismissed speculations about Rohit Sharma’s retirement, stating that the Indian captain remains one of the finest leaders in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and has no reason to step away from the game.
Speculation around Rohit’s retirement had intensified following India’s victory in the ICC Champions Trophy, but the 37-year-old captain denied the rumors after leading his team to its third title in the tournament.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, de Villiers emphasized Rohit’s exceptional win percentage as captain, which stands at approximately 74 percent—one of the best among past captains. He added that if Rohit continues to play, he will be remembered as one of the greatest ODI captains of all time.
De Villiers highlighted Rohit’s crucial contribution in the Champions Trophy final, where he scored 76 runs to provide India with a solid start, laying the foundation for victory. He lauded Rohit’s ability to lead from the front under immense pressure and questioned why the Indian captain should even consider retirement.
He further noted that Rohit’s performance as a batsman has also evolved over time. Comparing his past performances, de Villiers pointed out that Rohit’s strike rate during the powerplay was not as high initially, but since 2022, it has surged to 115. This transformation, he said, is what differentiates great players from good ones.
With these remarks, de Villiers reinforced the belief that Rohit Sharma remains a crucial figure in Indian cricket, both as a captain and a batsman, and should continue leading the team without paying attention to external criticism.
