‘Still hope to play a few more years’ – Rohit Sharma opens up on international retirement plans

Rohit Sharma. (Photo Source: YouTube)

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma recently gave insights into his plans with the national side. While speculations have been common about his potential retirement from T20Is after the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, and recent reports suggested the same. However, Sharma expressed his desire to continue representing India across formats for a few more years.

Currently playing for Mumbai Indians (MI) in the ongoing IPL 2024, Sharma’s immediate focus is on the T20 World Cup scheduled to be played in the West Indies and USA in June.

The Men in Blue’s long-standing wait for an ICC title weighs heavily, with the 37-year-old determined to end the drought as captain. Though India came close as runners-up in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the WTC Final earlier, Sharma is hopeful of finally lifting the coveted T20 trophy. Rohit also reflected on his illustrious international career, which began at a very young age for the Hitman, as he is fondly called.

“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.

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Good things happen to good people: Rohit

The Nagpur-born also spoke about the honour of leading his country, something he never thought of early in his career. He revealed that getting the opportunity to lead the national team, for a country where the sport is looked upon differently, is his career’s biggest honour and achievement.

“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,” he added.

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The Mumbai cricketer also opened up about his vision for Indian cricket after being appointed as the skipper.

“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.

Talking about the challenges faced in 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.