Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma’s deputy, has confirmed that the skipper has no immediate plans to retire. This statement was made on the eve of the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in Dubai. According to Gill, the team’s current discussions are centered around winning the Champions Trophy, and Rohit has not communicated any retirement intentions to him or the team. Gill believes Rohit is not currently contemplating retirement.
Speculation regarding Rohit’s future has been circulating, particularly after suggestions that he might retire from the Twenty20 format following their World Cup victory in Barbados last June. The Champions Trophy final was perceived by some as another opportune moment for such an announcement, possibly concerning his retirement from ODIs or even international cricket altogether. This speculation was fueled by his recent struggles to score runs in both Test and ODI formats.
However, Gill addressed and dismissed these speculations during the pre-final media conference held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday. To ensure his statements were accurately understood and reported, Gill returned to the media room post-conference to reiterate that he has no knowledge of Rohit having any retirement plans.
Gill also commented on the expected playing conditions at the DICS, noting that the Indian team has a good understanding of what to expect, despite general discussions about potential weather changes in Dubai. While daytime temperatures are high, there’s a possibility of dew affecting evening play. However, Gill anticipates consistent pitch behavior, similar to previous matches in the tournament. He expressed confidence in the team’s strategy for playing and bowling on such wickets, highlighting their success at this venue, where India has won all four of their matches in the competition.
Expressing his personal excitement, Gill mentioned his anticipation for playing in his second final of an ICC event, following the 2023 World Cup final. He acknowledged the inherent pressure in a Champions Trophy final, emphasizing that it cannot be treated as just another game. Gill believes that in high-pressure matches, the team that effectively manages the pressure and avoids being overwhelmed by the occasion has a greater chance of winning.
Drawing on examples of experienced players, Gill pointed to Virat Kohli’s performance in the semifinal as an illustration of how experience in big games is beneficial. He explained that players like Kohli, who have participated in numerous important matches, finals, and semi-finals, are better equipped to handle pressure situations due to their past experiences and understanding of game patterns. Virat Kohli notably scored a match-winning 84 in the recent semifinal.
Lastly, Gill addressed his recent run of form, acknowledging that he has not scored as heavily in the last two games after a strong start to the tournament, which included a century in the first match against Bangladesh and 46 against Pakistan. In preparation for the final, Gill was observed spending considerable time practicing in the nets alongside Rohit Sharma at the ICC Academy.
