Champions Trophy: 'I am not retiring from ODIs, please do not spread rumours', captain Rohit's reply to critics

After winning the ICC Champions Trophy for the third time by defeating New Zealand by four wickets here on Sunday, Indian captain Rohit Sharma said that it is a great feeling to have the result in your favor. Rohit, who was the 'Player of the Match' after playing a half-century of 76 runs in the final, told the critics spreading rumors of retirement after the match, "I am not going to retire from the ODI format. Please do not spread rumors." He seemed surprised by this question. He said, "There is no plan. What is happening will keep happening."

Captain Rohit Sharma, who has been aggressive from the first ball for some time, once again performed well with his bat, and that too at a time when the team needed it the most. However, before this, there were speculations about his retirement in media reports when his bat did not perform well during the Australia tour and in the initial matches of the Champions Trophy. Now he has denied all the reports.

'It's a nice feeling to be on the result'

Rohit, who was struggling with poor form in the Test series on the Australia tour, returned to form in his favorite format and thanks to his 76 runs, India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the Champions Trophy final. Rohit said after the victory, 'It's a nice feeling to be on the result'. When asked about his aggressive batting style from the last ODI World Cup, he said, 'I don't play like this naturally but I wanted to do something like this. When you do something different, the team and the management are with you.'

'After Dravid, I also talked to Gambhir'

He said, 'When you are doing something different, you should get the support of the team and the management. I first talked to Rahul (Rahul Dravid) bhai and now to Gauti (Gautam Gambhir) bhai as well. I wanted to do this. I played in a different style all these years and now we are getting results with this style.'

'Now we are getting results'

He said, 'I talked about this with Rahul (Dravid) bhai and now Gauti (Gambhir) bhai. I wanted to do this. For so many years I have played in a different style and now we are getting results from it.' About his all-rounders, he said, 'This depth gave me freedom to play and helped me a lot. Jadeja is coming at number eight which gave me the confidence to play freely.'

Rohit praised KL Rahul.

Praising KL Rahul, he said, 'Very strong-minded and he never panics under pressure. That is why we wanted him in the middle overs. When he bats, he plays with a lot of patience and according to the situation. He gives freedom to other batsmen like Hardik.' Praising Varun Chakravarthy, who took nine wickets, he said, 'He is something different. When we play on such pitches, we want the batsman to do something different. He played against New Zealand and took five wickets. His bowling is amazing.'

Virat Kohli said this.

Virat Kohli, however, could not play a big innings. He said, 'It has been wonderful, we wanted to make a comeback after the difficult tour of Australia. It was great to play with wonderful youngsters. They are taking India in the right direction. After playing for so long, you are eager to play under pressure. To win the title, the whole team has to move forward in different matches.'

Rahul described the feeling after the victory.

Kohli said, 'I try to talk to these youngsters, try to share my experience. When you go, you want to go in a better position. Gill, Shreyas, and Rahul have played many impressive innings. The team is in good hands.' At the same time, KL Rahul said after the match, 'It was important to keep patience, I am happy that I could do it this time. I have batted in similar conditions in three out of five matches. It is difficult to describe in words.'

India won the title for the third time.

On the strength of captain Rohit Sharma's batting and the spinners' performance, India defeated New Zealand by four wickets and won the Champions Trophy for a record third time. Before this match, there were speculations about Rohit's retirement, but he returned to his familiar form and shut the mouths of the critics. Under his captaincy, India won its second ICC title after the T20 World Cup 2024. India won the title for the third time after 2002 and 2013 without losing a single match in the tournament. No other team has won this trophy three times.