'Still hope to play as an...' Rohit Sharma talks about his future in international cricket

Rohit Sharma-led India played the ODI World Cup final and the World Test Championship final in 2023.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma has dropped a hint about his future with the national team and also reflected on his 17-year-long international career. Currently, Rohit is playing for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. His focus will then shift to the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which will be played in the West Indies and the USA in June.

The 37-year-old Rohit, who will lead India in the upcoming ICC event, will look to end his side’s long-awaited ICC title drought. Under Rohit’s leadership, India came close to ending their ICC trophy drought a couple of times.

First, the Men in Blue played the World Test Championship final in 2023. Later that year, the Rohit-led side played in the ODI World Cup and had a stellar run until the final. However, they lost both championship games against Australia and ended both campaigns as runners-up.

The veteran Indian opener Rohit expressed his thoughts on his 17-year-long international career. Rohit added that it’s been a very wonderful journey, and he wishes to play a few more years to make an impact in world cricket.

“The journey has been wonderful, it has been 17 years; I still hope to play a few more years as well & make an impact in World cricket,” Rohit said in latest interview with Dubai Eye 103.8.

Captaining India is the biggest honour: Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma took the test captaincy in 2022. India have played 16 tests matches under his leadership so far, out of which, they have won 10 games till now. In 2021, Rohit was appointed as India’s full-time ODI captain replacing Kohli. However, Rohit also led the side in Kohli’s absence at times since 2017 and so far India have plated 45 ODIs under his leadership and won 34 out of those, losing just 10.

Following India’s exit at the T20 World Cup 2021, Rohit Sharma replaced Virat Kohli as T20I captain as well. However, just like in ODIs, he has captained the T20I side also since 2017 in absence of Kohli. In T20Is, India have played 54 matches and won 41 so far under Rohit’s captaincy, making him the joint-most successful captain alongside MS Dhoni.

Rohit expressed his thoughts about captaining India. The veteran batter added that he never thought that this biggest thing would ever arrive for him. 

“Captaining your country is the biggest honour that you can have, and for me, I have never thought that this would arrive where I’ll be captaining one day. But yeah, people say good things happen to good people,” Rohit Sharma added.

It’s not about personal milestones: Rohit Sharma

The Nagpur born cricketer also reflected on his vision for Indian cricket after being appointed as captain in every format. Rohit added that for him, it was not about personal milestones, personal stats or goals but it was all about bringing the ICC trophy.

“When I took over as India Captain, I just wanted everyone to drive in one direction that’s how the team sport should be played, it’s not about personal milestones & personal stats & goals, it is about what all 11 of us can bring to the table & win the trophy,” Rohit further added.

Rohit also opened up about the challenges he faced both on field and life. “I have seen more downs than ups in my life, and the human and person I am today is because of what I have seen in the past, and in the downs,” he concluded.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket for IPL 2024 Live Score & IPL Points Table,  on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.