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'If He Keeps Going...,' RCB Legend Rubbishes Rohit Sharma's Retirement Rumours

Soumyajit Dutta

AB de Villiers and Rohit Sharma [Source: @ICC/X.com]AB de Villiers and Rohit Sharma [Source: @ICC/X.com]

Days after Indian skipper Rohit Sharma dismissed speculation about retiring from international cricket following India’s triumphant Champions Trophy 2025 campaign, South African legend AB de Villiers has thrown his weight behind Sharma’s continuity.

De Villiers hailed his transformative leadership and batting prowess. His endorsement of Rohit Sharma's leadership was not limited to his impressive win percentage but also extended to his ability to adapt and transform his game.

De Villiers Hails Rohit Sharma's Captaincy

De Villiers, renowned for his analytical insights, dissected Rohit’s credentials on his YouTube channel, emphasizing the captain’s unmatched win percentage and adaptability. 

“Compared to other captains, look at Rohit’s win percentage, it’s almost 74%, which is substantially more than any other captain of the past. If he keeps going, he will go down as one of the best ODI captains of all time. Rohit has also said he is not retiring and has requested that rumours be stopped spreading.”

The 37-year-old Sharma, who became only the second Indian captain after MS Dhoni to clinch multiple ICC titles, anchored India’s tense 252-run chase in the Dubai final against New Zealand. His 76 off 83 balls, laced with a calculated powerplay assault, earned him widespread acclaim.

De Villiers Negates Rohit's Retirement Talks

De Villiers questioned the logic behind retirement talks, pointing to Rohit’s clutch performance under pressure. 

“Why would he retire? With that kind of record not only as captain but also as a batter. That 76 in the final, giving India a fantastic start, laying the foundation for success and leading from the front when the pressure was at its peak,” he remarked.

The Proteas great also spotlighted Rohit’s evolution as an ODI opener, noting a dramatic shift in his approach since 2022. 

“Rohit Sharma has got no reason to retire. No reason to take any criticism whatsoever. His record speaks for itself. If we look at his strike rate in the Powerplay, it was quite low earlier, but since 2022, it’s risen to 115. That’s the difference between good and great. Transforming your game never stops, you always have something to learn.”

This tactical overhaul has seen Rohit morph into a dynamic aggressor, balancing risk and reward to maximize India’s starts. 

Now, with retirement rumours quashed and a proven appetite for reinvention, Rohit appears poised to extend his tenure. As the cricketing world eyes the 2027 ODI World Cup, Rohit for now will focus on IPL 2025 where his team Mumbai Indians will be seen facing off against CSK on March 23 at Chepauk.