NEW DELHI: South Africa batting legend AB de Villiers lauded Rohit Sharma’s legacy both as a batter and captain after India’s thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy final. The victory marked India’s third Champions Trophy title and added another feather to Rohit’s already impressive cap.
Under Rohit’s leadership, India lifted their second ICC title in less than nine months, having previously clinched the 2024 T20 World Cup by defeating South Africa in Bridgetown. That triumph ended India’s long ICC title drought, which dated back to the 2013 Champions Trophy win under MS Dhoni’s captaincy.
The win also made Rohit the second most successful Indian captain in terms of ICC titles. Amid growing speculation about his retirement from the ODI format—similar to his exit from T20Is after the World Cup win in Barbados — Rohit put the rumours to rest following his latest triumph. The skipper top-scored with a match-winning 76 in the final and was named Player of the Final.
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“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. Rohit Sharma has got no reason to retire. No reason to take any criticism whatsoever. His record speaks for itself,” de Villiers said on his YouTube channel.
De Villiers also highlighted Rohit’s growth as a player over the years. “If we have a look at his strike rate in the powerplay, it was quite low for an opening batter, but since 2022, his strike rate has risen to 115 in the first powerplay. That’s the difference between good and great. It’s transforming your own game—it never stops. You always have something to learn and something to do better,” he added.
“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,” de Villiers concluded.
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