The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has asked Rohit Sharma to reveal his future plans after the Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Rohit, who hung his boots from T20I cricket in June 2024 after guiding India to its second T20 World Cup triumph in the West Indies, might do the same after the much-awaited 50-over competition. It’s likely that the star India player can announce his retirement from other forms of the sport as well. The veteran has been struggling to be among the runs for the last few months and heading into the marquee International Cricket Council (ICC) tournament, he will look to be at his best and bring curtains down on his international career.
As per a report in the Times of India, the BCCI's endeavours are to build the side for the upcoming cricketing events such as the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle and 2027 World Cup so it wants the team to pass through a transition period smoothly in the longer formats of the sport. India’s supreme cricket body is also looking to find a skipper that can fill Rohit’s shoes, therefore, the 37-year-old is asked to disclose his plans post the Champions Trophy 2025.
According to the Indian daily, a BCCI source revealed, "The selectors and people on the board had this discussion with Rohit around the time of the last selection meeting. He has been told that he needs to decide how he wants to plan his future after the Champions Trophy. The team management has certain plans going into the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle and the ODI World Cup. They want to ensure everyone is on the same page for a smoother transition."
Jasprit Bumrah and Shubman Gill in contention for the leadership role
Ace Indian Pacer Jasprit Bumrah is a top contender for the Test leadership role but his fitness can impede his chances of holding the position for a long time. Another candidate for the captaincy post is top-order batter Shubman Gill but his underwhelming Test numbers are causing concerns among the board members. Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal can also be considered for the top position for the upcoming years.
"Bumrah's chances of a long Test series or completing a full season will always be in doubt. The selectors may want a more stable option. Gill has been seen as a captaincy prospect but his returns in Test cricket have been average. Rishabh Pant could also be a strong candidate and maybe someone like Yashashvi Jaiswal can be groomed for the role," the report further read.
