BCCI Expected Rohit Sharma to Retire After Champions Trophy; Ajit Agarkar to Spearhead Captaincy Transition

Indian cricket is entering a transitional phase, with its senior stalwarts nearing the twilight of their international careers. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, pillars of Indian cricket over the last decade and a half, have already stepped away from T20Is and recently announced their retirements from Test cricket. Now, only the ODI format remains, and even that has an uncertain future for both veterans.

THE FINAL CHAPTER FOR ROHIT AND KOHLI IN ODIS?

With the 2027 ODI World Cup still over two years away, both Rohit and Kohli seem intent on making one last push for the only ICC white-ball title they haven’t won together. However, by the time the tournament arrives, Rohit will be 40 and Kohli not far behind.

While Kohli’s superior fitness and consistent batting form give him a more secure position in the team’s future plans, Rohit’s spot particularly as captain appears increasingly precarious. Though his aggressive approach at the top proved effective during the 2023 World Cup, questions linger about whether this style can remain sustainable as age begins to take its toll.

BCCI SURPRISED BY ROHIT’S CONTINUATION IN ODIS

According to a BCCI insider quoted by The Hindustan Times, the board was under the impression that Rohit would retire from ODIs following the Champions Trophy win.

> “Quite frankly, a lot of us thought Rohit wanted to move away from the ODI format after winning the Champions Trophy. There have been no discussions between Rohit and the selectors over his ODI future,” the source revealed.

However, Rohit seemingly quashed retirement rumours after the Champions Trophy, stating:

> "One more thing. I am not going to retire from this format. Just to make sure there are no rumours spread moving forward. Thank you so much."

Still, the long-term vision of the Indian team might not align with Rohit’s desire to continue leading in ODIs.

CAPTAINCY PUZZLE: INDIA MOVES TOWARDS SPLIT LEADERSHIP

India appears to be gradually embracing split captaincy a significant shift from its traditional leadership model. While Rohit currently leads the ODI side, new appointments suggest the winds of change are blowing. Suryakumar Yadav has had a stint in charge, and Shubman Gill is set to debut as captain in 11 days, signaling a clear move toward grooming the next generation.

Just as MS Dhoni passed the baton to Kohli well before his retirement, a similar handover could now be on the cards. With Shreyas Iyer also reportedly in the frame, India’s leadership group is undergoing an active overhaul.

AJIT AGARKAR'S ROLE: SHAPING INDIA’S FUTURE CAPTAIN

Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar will play a pivotal role in determining India’s next ODI captain. While Rohit’s credentials as a white-ball leader are impeccable India lost just one match under him across the last three ICC events, the 2023 World Cup final against Australia planning for the 2027 World Cup may necessitate fresh leadership.

Under Rohit’s captaincy, India won the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the 2025 Champions Trophy in Dubai. His legacy as a white-ball captain is secure, but whether he will lead in 2027 remains uncertain.

INDIA’S ODI ROADMAP UNTIL 2026

India is scheduled to play at least 27 ODIs before the 2027 World Cup, as per the current Future Tours Programme (FTP). Here’s a breakdown of the upcoming series:

• - August 2025 – 3 ODIs in Bangladesh
• - October 2025 – 3 ODIs in Australia
• - November 2025 – 3 ODIs vs South Africa (Home)
• - January 2026 – 3 ODIs vs New Zealand (Home)
• - June 2026– 3 ODIs vs Afghanistan (Home)
• - July 2026 – 3 ODIs in England
• - September 2026 – 3 ODIs vs West Indies (Home)
• - November 2026 – 3 ODIs in New Zealand
• - December 2026 – 3 ODIs vs Sri Lanka (Home)

Additional fixtures may be added, but the current schedule already provides ample opportunity to evaluate new leadership options and build a settled squad for 2027.

CONCLUSION: ROHIT’S FUTURE HINGES ON TRANSITION PLANS

As India gears up for a generational shift, Rohit Sharma’s ODI captaincy appears to be on borrowed time. While he has not indicated any intention to step down, the BCCI and team management are clearly laying the groundwork for a post-Rohit era. Whether Rohit will play a supporting role or continue to lead remains to be seen—but the leadership baton is likely to be passed well before India boards the plane to the 2027 World Cup.