“He’ll probably have a crack at the Champions Trophy” - Australian legend’s massive prediction on Rohit Sharma’s retirement post BGT 2024-25

Former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist has speculated that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 could potentially mark the final tournament for India's Test and ODI captain, Rohit Sharma. This comes after Rohit's disappointing performance in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he managed just 31 runs across five innings.

The 37-year-old also withdrew from the playing XI for the final Test in Sydney due to his poor form. Meanwhile, India lost the series 3-1, marking their first defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in over a decade.

Speaking on Club Prairie Fire, Gilchrist expressed that he doesn't foresee Rohit being part of the Indian squad for the Test series in England, which begins in June. He also predicted that the 37-year-old's career might come to an end after the ICC Champions Trophy, starting on February 19. The 53-year-old said [as quoted by Hindustan Times]:

"I don't see Rohit going to England. I just felt that he said he will assess it when he gets home. I mean, the first thing he will be meet with when he gets home is a two-month-old baby that he has to change the nappies on. Now that might incentivise him to go to England. But I know I don't; I don't see him pressing on. I think he'll probably have a crack at the Champions Trophy and that might be. That might see him out.”

Meanwhile, Rohit had already retired from T20I cricket in 2024 after leading India to victory in the T20 World Cup, ending an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy.

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“I wouldn't be surprised if he wouldn't mind doing it” - Adam Gilchrist on the possible return of Virat Kohli as India’s Test captain

In the same conversation, Adam Gilchrist expressed uncertainty over whether Jasprit Bumrah should take on the full-time captaincy in Test cricket, given his heavy workload. He mentioned that the next captain could be anyone’s guess and that he wouldn't be surprised if Virat Kohli were to return to the role. Gilchrist said:

"I don't know whether Bumrah should be full-time captain. I reckon that might get a little bit challenging for him. So, who that next captain may be is anyone's guess, really, whether they go back to Virat. I wouldn't be surprised if he wouldn't mind doing it. But yeah, I haven't stopped to really think who will be captain.”

Gilchrist also discussed the challenges India may face in the near future, acknowledging the talent available but cautioning that success at the international level is not guaranteed. He added:

"It's a challenging period coming up for India. They've got ready-made replacements. I mean, the IPLs have produced a number of talented players that are lined up across every position, 1 to 11 really, that they could draw on. But it doesn't mean that it's instant success at the international level. So I think they could be in for a challenging little period."

Meanwhile, the Indian team will be back in action on January 22, when they face England in the opening game of the five-match T20I series in Kolkata.