Rohit Sharma’s future and central contracts for Indian team is set to be revisited by the BCCI after the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, reports have stated. India will clash with New Zealand in the CT 2025 final in Dubai on Sunday, March 9.
India entered the final unbeaten, defeating Pakistan, New Zealand, Bangladesh in group stages and Australia in the semi-finals of the tournament.
The conclusion of Sunday's ICC Champions Trophy final is expected to serve as the foundation for Indian cricket's preparations for the ODI World Cup in 2027 and the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
It could influence Rohit Sharma's future path, with the Indian cricket board (BCCI) looking for stability in leadership as it plans for the next two years.
According to insiders, there may be a difficult decision to replace Rohit as captain in ODIs and Tests. The board has also decided to postpone the announcement of new central contracts until after the final versus New Zealand.
As per Times of India, following their return from the Australia tour, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir met with the board and Rohit to explore the offer. It is also understood that during the conversation, the Indian captain was open to the concept of developing a strategy for the team after the Champions Trophy.
“Rohit still believes there is some cricket left in him. He has been told to communicate his plans going forward. Retiring is his call but there will be another discussion around continuing with captaincy. Rohit himself understands the need to have a stable captain if the team wants to prepare for a World Cup. There have been talks with Kohli too but there doesn’t seem to be much anxiety around him,” a BCCI source told TOI.
The BCCI normally publishes its yearly player retainership before the IPL. The board wanted to observe how the team performed in the Champions Trophy following a poor Test season.
It is understood that the board wants to review the Grade A+ contracts. The top four players are currently Rohit Sharma, Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja.
With the BCCI's policy stating that players who succeed in all three formats are chosen for A+ contracts, there were some concerns about Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja retiring from T20Is while also weathering a difficult Test season. However, a successful performance in the Champions Trophy could help these players keep their marquee contracts.
It will be intriguing to watch whether Axar Patel, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant are promoted to the A category. Shreyas Iyer is expected to reclaim his central contract after being demoted last year owing to disciplinary issues. Kohli's performance in the Champions Trophy has helped to enhance his argument.
“The board will wait for Rohit’s decision after the Champions Trophy. If by any chance he chooses to retire, then the board will see what needs to be done. One can’t discount the fact that he won the T20 World Cup in July and has led well in the Champions Trophy as well,” the source said.
Factoring in that current ODI vice-captain Shubman Gill is still raw as a captain and Jasprit Bumrah’s persisting fitness issues, the selectors will need more time if they have to move on from Rohit.
