Rohit Sharma’s captaincy legacy confirmed with Champions Trophy title

He categorically stated after wrapping up his post-match press conference that he is not retiring from ODI cricket for the time being, but if Rohit Sharma does not make it to the next World Cup two and a half years from now in 2027, he need not have any regrets. He’s in hallowed territory as an Indian cricketer and captain.

For it was in Dubai on March 9, 2025 after leading India to victory over New Zealand in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy that Rohit’s white-ball captaincy legacy was confirmed. Nine months after he led India to the T20 World Cup trophy in the West Indies, thus ending 16 years of frustration and despair, Rohit became the first Indian cricket team captain to lift the Champions Trophy since 2013. 

And, for the record, only the third Indian to do so after Sourav Ganguly in 2002 and MS Dhoni in 2013, the tournament in which Rohit underlined his credentials as a viable opener in the 50-over game. 

Three finals and two titles in four tournaments cements Rohit’s leadership legacy and puts him behind Dhoni as the most successful ICC-winning captain India have ever had. Dhoni, of course, won the T20 World Cup, the ODI World Cup and the Champions Trophy to ink his name into cricketing folklore. 

Rohit now rightfully has pride of place in the pantheon of Indian cricket’s captains when it comes to limited-overs cricket. 

Having tasted pain on November 19, 2023 in Ahmedabad when a 10-match unbeaten streak in the ODI World Cup was ended by Pat Cummins and his Australian team, Rohit knew to savour the Champions Trophy success here in Dubai. As he looked lovingly at the trophy planted on the table right next to him after the match as he addressed the media inside the stadium, Rohit spoke of how much this means. He admitted that the World Cup remains the pinnacle for cricketer of his age, but then stressed on how being a Champions Trophy winning captain means the world to him in the now.

“I’m really, really proud being the captain of this team. To play the finals of all four trophies was really good and shows how consistent we are as a team,” said Rohit during the press conference. “It is a great team achievement to win two ICC trophies and to go undefeated is [the] icing on the cake. I have seen very few teams that have won two tournaments undefeated. For us, the most important thing was that we come here and prepare, and play the opposition. We used the conditions well and won. Future plan? There’s no future plan. Whatever is happening will keep on happening”. 

If he does not go on to play the ODI World Cup in 2027, by which time he will be 40 and a half, it should not detract from Rohit’s success as India’s white-ball captain. He lifted the T20 World Cup in 2024 and confirmed his retirement during the post-match press conference. History did not repeat itself in Dubai, after Rohit lifted the Champions Trophy, and you can be sure that he will exit the 50-over stage on his own terms. 

To take India to the World Cup final in 2023, to then win the T20 World Cup in 2024 and now the Champions Trophy in 2025 speaks of Rohit’s leadership. Along the way, most strikingly during the ODI World Cup, he changed his game to suit the team’s needs as well as keep himself relevant to the format as the years ticked on. He tried the same during the T20 World Cup and stumbled, but also left his mark on India’s unbeaten run with a violent innings of 92 from 41 balls against Australia. 

Twelve years from playing a key role in India wining the Champions Trophy – his first ICC ODI title win – Rohit left his imprint on this edition as well. His Champions Trophy campaign began with 41 off 36 deliveries against Bangladesh and ended with 76 off 83 against New Zealand. Far from stupendous returns, and 11th on the tournament’s overall list, but enough to show that he has gas left in the tank. 

“I scored heavily during the 2019 World Cup but it wasn’t satisfying because the team didn’t win,” said Rohit on his batting approach. “When the team wins and you make a contribution, it gives satisfaction. I am clear in my mind how I want to bat, and that is what I am trying to do.”

While he added that the aggressive style of batting is “not natural” for him, Rohit admitted that it was something he “really wanted to do”. 

“When you are doing something different, you have to have the backing of the team and management. I spoke to Rahul [Dravid] bhai and now Gauti [Gautam Gambhir] bhai as well. It is something I really wanted to do. I have played all these years in a different style and now we are getting the results with this. I was very clear about how I wanted to execute the first five-six overs. I have gotten out earlier as well, but the execution matters. The depth gives me the freedom and it helps. With [Ravindra] Jadeja coming in at number eight, it gives you confidence to go hard upfront. As long as I am clear in my mind, it is great.”

Now statistically India’s fourth most successful run-scorer in ODIs – and only 53 shy of Ganguly at third place – Rohit has had many great moments on the field as a batsman, is the country’s second most successful Indian captain, and beyond that, he has managed to connect with the most passionate fan base in all of cricket. Irrespective of how his career goes from here, he will be remembered for a very long time.