Rohit Sharma Shuts Down Retirement Rumours, Targets ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 As 'Unfinished Business'
Indian cricket veteran Rohit Sharma, 39, has ended speculation about his One Day International future, confirming his unwavering commitment to play in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027. Citing 'unfinished business,' Sharma made his intentions clear ahead of India's upcoming ODI series.
New Delhi: Indian cricketing stalwart Rohit Sharma, at 39 years old, has emphatically stated his intention to continue playing One Day International (ODI) cricket, declaring his focus is firmly on the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027. Speaking to JioStar ahead of India's upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies, Sharma put an end to recent speculation about his future in the 50-over format, emphasizing that as long as he plays, there will always be new goals to pursue. Virat Kohli Confirms ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 Will Be His Final Appearance For India, Says 'I'm Absolutely Ready'.
"The thought will never cross my mind that the business I had is finished. As long as you're playing, there is always something to look forward to. And I'm looking forward to the World Cup, looking at what lies ahead for me," Sharma commented, highlighting his enduring motivation.
A Singular Focus on ODIs
Having already announced his retirement from Test cricket in May 2025 and T20I cricket in June 2024 after leading India to the T20 World Cup triumph, Sharma's international career is now singularly focused on ODIs. This commitment comes despite considerable speculation regarding his participation in the 2027 global showpiece. His coach, Dinesh Lad, has also expressed optimism about Sharma's availability and desire to win the ODI World Cup.
Sharma, born on April 30, 1987, is known as 'Hitman' for his explosive batting and has been a cornerstone of Indian white-ball cricket for over a decade. He notably led India to the final of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, where they remained undefeated until a heartbreaking loss to Australia. The coveted ODI World Cup trophy remains the one major ICC silverware missing from his illustrious cabinet, a point of "unfinished business" for the veteran.
The Road to 2027
The 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup is scheduled to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, running from October 4 to November 21, 2027. The tournament will feature an expanded format, including 14 teams and a total of 57 matches, presenting new challenges.
Sharma emphasized the unique demands of ICC tournaments: "When the World Cup is played, when we play an ICC tournament, it has its own unique challenge, because you face different opponents, you play at different venues. So, you have to prepare differently, think in a different way and that is the challenge."
India's build-up to the 2027 World Cup officially commences with their current three-match ODI series against the West Indies. The first match is slated for Sunday, September 27, 2026. Sharma's recent form remains strong, having scored a brilliant hundred in his last ODI innings away from home. India Likely Playing XI for 1st ODI 2026 vs West Indies: Check Predicted 11.
Rohit Sharma's ODI Career at a Glance
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 288 |
| Runs Scored | 11,895 |
| Centuries | 34 |
| Fifties | 62 |
| Average | 48.95 |
| Strike Rate | 93 |
| Highest Individual Score | 264 (vs Sri Lanka, 2014) |
| Double Centuries | 3 |
With his declaration, Rohit Sharma has not only clarified his immediate cricketing future but also set a compelling narrative for the next quadrennial ODI tournament. Indian fans will undoubtedly be cheering for their 'Hitman' as he embarks on this quest for the elusive ODI World Cup title.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 26, 2026 04:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
