As speculation mounts over the ODI futures of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli post the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill has put an end to the rumours, making it clear that no retirement discussions are happening within the Indian team.
There is no talk about retirement in the dressing room right now.
We have not discussed this at all. The chatter is purely on winning the match and what we have to do to win the match. I think Rohit is thinking the same way — he just wants to win the Champions Trophy first. I think once the match gets over tomorrow, he will take a call, but I have not heard of this from anyone in the team.
With India on the cusp of another ICC title, Gill lauded the strength of the team’s batting unit, calling it the best he has been a part of.
Rohit is one of the best openers in the world, and when it comes to Virat, we don’t even need to say much about him,” Gill said. “But our team’s depth allows the top order to play with more freedom.
Lessons from the Past, Focus on the Present
The heartbreak of the 2023 ODI World Cup final loss to Australia still lingers, but Gill believes India has grown from that experience.
We are all excited for the final. Last time, we couldn't win the 50-over World Cup, but we are determined to get the job done this time.
Acknowledging the pressures of a title clash, Gill stressed the need for composure.
There will be big-match pressure, but the team that handles it better will win the final. We just need to treat it like any other match. We have played four games here and done well, so there’s no added pressure on us.
Breaking the ICC Finals Jinx
India’s struggles in ICC finals have been a talking point, but Gill dismissed any sense of desperation.
Once you win a major title, the weight of expectations eases. Desperation is not a good thing. I’m not saying we aren’t hungry — we are — but we are not desperate.
Beyond individual brilliance, Gill emphasised the importance of team camaraderie in high-pressure situations.
Helping a teammate is just as important as scoring a hundred or taking five wickets. You might not see it on the field, but those little things contribute a lot to success.
As India gears up for a shot at history, the message from the camp is clear — focus on the moment, block out the noise, and let performance do the talking.
