As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final between India and New Zealand approaches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, Team India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill has addressed speculations about Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the 50-over format.
During the pre-match press conference, Gill clarified that no discussions about Rohit’s future have taken place either in the dressing room or personally with him.
“No discussion in the dressing room or with me—even Rohit bhai would be thinking about the Champions Trophy final, like all of us. So, nothing like that now,” Gill stated.
He suggested that any decision from Rohit Sharma would likely come after the final. “I think once the match ends tomorrow, he will make a decision. There is no talk about it within the setup,” he added.
As India aims for another major ICC title, Rohit Sharma’s experience and leadership will play a crucial role against a formidable New Zealand side.
India remains undefeated in the tournament so far, while the Kiwis have shown consistency under Mitchell Santner’s captaincy. The final promises to be a thrilling rematch of the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy final, which New Zealand won. India will also seek to avenge previous losses to the Blackcaps in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup semifinal and the 2021 ICC World Test Championship final.
India’s recent 44-run victory over New Zealand last week showcased their dominance. Posting 249 runs from 50 overs, they bowled out New Zealand for 205 in the 46th over. While spin has been a focus in the UAE conditions, Matt Henry shone for the Black Caps with figures of 5/42 from eight overs. Shreyas Iyer top-scored for India with a solid 79 off 98 balls.
Despite Kane Williamson’s valiant 81 off 120 balls, New Zealand’s middle order failed to offer support. India’s spinners combined for nine wickets, led by Varun Chakravarthy, who mirrored Henry’s figures of 5/42 in only his second One Day International.
Squads:
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh.
New Zealand: Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Latham (w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William O’Rourke, Daryl Mitchell, Nathan Smith, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy.