New Delhi: Rohit Sharma has again indicated he remains fully focused on playing a fourth ODI World Cup for India next year, thus swatting away never-ending speculations over his retirement. Rohit, who was the captain when India finished as 2023 ODI World Cup runners-up, said the “business” will never be finished for him as long as he continues playing.
“The thought will never cross my mind that the business I have is finished. As long as you’re playing, there is always something to look forward to. And I’m looking forward to the World Cup, looking at what lies ahead for me,” Rohit said on JioHotstar.
“When the World Cup is played, when we play an ICC tournament, it has its own unique challenge, because you face different opponents, you play at different venues. So, you have to prepare differently, think differently, and that is the challenge,” he added.
Rohit’s latest remarks come amid constant speculation over the veteran’s India future.
Earlier this year, during India’s bilateral ODI series in England, reports emerged that Rohit was informed by the selection panel that they intend to move on from him following the tour.
The 3rd and final ODI of the series at Lord’s was seen as a possible final appearance for Rohit in India colours. However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia publicly rejected those claims.
Rohit subsequently responded with the bat, producing a spectacular 138 off 110 balls, an innings that included 17 fours and five sixes.
His century made him the first Indian men’s batter to score an ODI hundred at Lord’s, although India eventually lost the match by 27 runs.
Rohit has already retired from T20Is and Test cricket, leaving ODI cricket as his only international format. He had also publicly stated in March 2025, after India won the Champions Trophy, that he was not retiring from ODIs “any time soon”.
The 39-year-old will be back in action from Sunday (September 27) when the first ODI of a three-match series between India and West Indies will be played in Trivandrum.
