The outcome of the Champions Trophy 2025 final between India and New Zealand will decide the future course of action in Indian cricket landscape. Central to this is the future of captain Rohit Sharma, whose leadership role is under intense scrutiny.
Big decision awaits on Rohit Sharma's India future post Champions Trophy final
A report from the Times of India hints that the coming weeks could be decisive for his captaincy tenure as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly prioritising long-term stability in its leadership, aiming to establish a consistent captain for the next two years. This could lead to difficult discussions regarding Rohit Sharma's continuation as captain in both ODIs and Tests. Adding to the tension, the BCCI has delayed the announcement of new central contracts, further indicating that the result of the final against New Zealand will play a crucial role in determining the direction of Indian cricket's future leadership
According to the information presented in the report, discussions concerning Rohit Sharma's future leadership have already taken place. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir reportedly engaged in conversations with both the BCCI and Rohit Sharma himself.
"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," a BCCI source privy to the development told TOI, as quoted by Hindustan Times.
The BCCI's decision to delay central contract announcements stems from a desire to evaluate the team's performance in the Champions Trophy, particularly after a challenging Test season. This assessment has triggered a re-evaluation of the prestigious Grade A+ contracts, currently held by Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja. The board's policy emphasises rewarding players who excel across all three formats with these top-tier contracts, creating uncertainty for Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja.
Concerns have arisen due to the fact that all three players have retired from T20Is and experienced a difficult red-ball season. Consequently, their eligibility for continued Grade A+ status is now under scrutiny. However, a strong showing in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand could significantly influence the BCCI's decision, potentially securing their positions and reaffirming their value to Indian cricket.
“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.
If we look at it it has always been a smooth transition when it comes to Team India's captaincy. MS Dhoni's decision to step down as white-ball captain two years prior to the 2019 ODI World Cup provided Virat Kohli with valuable time to acclimate to the role. Similarly, Kohli's stepping down from the T20I captaincy in 2021 facilitated Rohit Sharma's introduction to leadership role. Rohit also assumed the ODI captaincy in the same year, granting him a two-year window to prepare the team for the 2023 World Cup. These instances underscore the BCCI's preference for a structured and gradual handover of leadership responsibilities.
Looking ahead to the 2027 World Cup, which is now two years away, the situation presents a new set of considerations. While ODI vice-captain Shubman Gill is viewed as a potential future leader, he is still in the developmental phase.
For now all eyes are hooked on Team India who are gearing up for the Champions Trophy final where they will face New Zealand on March 9 at the Dubai International cricket stadium.