Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli show there is more than one way to answer retirement calls

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma answered their critics in fine fashion and guided India to their third Champions Trophy title on Sunday, March 9. With no retirement on the horizon for both men, is the famous Ro-Ko aiming for a World Cup 2027 bow?

In Short

• Rohit and Kohli guided India to another ICC title
• The duo decided not to differ away from their ways during the Champions Trophy
• Rohit and Kohli will be hoping to make their final bow after ODI World Cup 2027

“Koi future plan ni hai. Jo chal ra hai wo chalega (There’s no future plan, things will keep on going as they are). I'm not going to retire from this format. Just to make sure that no rumours are spread moving forward."

This was Rohit Sharma's formal way of squashing all the retirement rumours around him after lifting the Champions Trophy 2025 on Sunday, March9. It felt like he was a guy standing in front of his college principal as his answer lacked the casual tone that the Indian captain had become famous for. Little did we know, the 37-year-old would deliver the same announcement via an X-rated message right after the game as he finished celebrating with Virat Kohli.

He made it clear in the video, which seemed like two friends from college just cracking a joke amongst themselves while not in the presence of their teachers. The Indian captain has dealt with his retirement calls in fantastic fashion and that in just more than one way.

The Indian captain, along with Kohli, were under scrutiny over their spots in the team after the disastrous Australia tour. Both men were trolled and Rohit even had questions raised over his captaincy while the Champions Trophy was going on.

While many came to their defence, Rohit and Kohli decided it was best to answer things on the field. There was a bit of class, defiance and determination in their approach to the Champions Trophy and how they shut out the retirement calls.

Defiance to change their methods

When you look at Rohit and Kohli, they're almost polar opposites. Rohit is known for his lazy elegance while batting and Kohli is known for the hustle he shows while batting. The Indian captain, known for his big hundreds in ODIs, decided to change himself for the better of the team in 2023.

We saw a more aggressive Rohit, who started to go hard at the ball instead of focusing on constructing his innings. For Kohli, it was all about calmness and giving a bit extra all the time on the field. These approaches were questioned during the Champions Trophy.

Many felt Rohit should hold back on his aggression a bit, especially in the final, while some said that Kohli needs to stop trying to do more. So what did both men do?

Well, Rohit just decided it was best to deposit the second ball he faced in the final for a six, while Kohli just drained teams in the earlier games by applying more and more when it comes to his output with the bat and on the field.

Showing their commitment to the juniors in the side

When Varun Chakravarthy produced a stunning spell in his first match of the Champions Trophy, he said that he did feel the nerves. He turned to Rohit and Kohli and both men ensured the mystery spinner remained calm on the day while bowling.

The senior duo are committed to their cause as they want to see the Indian team in a better state. It was evident in Kohli's comments after the final how they want the team to be not stuck in a transition phase for long after they hang up the boots.

"For sure. I try to speak to these guys as much as possible, share my experience about my longevity. I try to step in wherever I can to help improve their games. When you want to leave, you want to leave the game in a better position. That's what we are striving for," Virat Kohli said after India beat New Zealand in the final.

"Then, eventually, when we are finally done at whatever stage, we have a squad that is ready to take on the world, dominate for 8-10 years. These guys have the game to do so."

"They have stepped up already. We are in good hands," he added.

While this may include the occasional anger, as Kuldeep would testify to after his lack of commitment on the field was quickly scolded by Rohit and Kohli. Both men have their eyes set on making the Indian team the best in the world in all aspects. And there is a big reason behind it.

Mission 2027 World Cup

The Champions Trophy win seemed like a good platform for one of the two to retire. They did the same after the T20 World Cup in 2024 as they felt it was the right time to step aside for the young guns. They felt it was the right time for them to make the switch and the T20I side has done wonders since then.

With the ODI team, it feels like both men feel there is still work to be done. There are still a few areas to be improved, a few holes still to be plugged and more better performances. For that to happen, Rohit and Kohli feel they need to be there.

And it is no secret that both men are still chasing one dragon together. The ODI World Cup. They came close to it in 2023 and despite having 2 ICC events since then in their bag, the duo wants to sign off with the big one.

There are 24 ODIs left for India till the 2027 World Cup. Rohit will be 40 and Kohli 38. You can never really predict what could happen with the duo. But hey, can you really write these two off from playing in one more ICC event?

For all we know, they could silence all the critics once again and pull off another dandiya dance in either Johannesburg, Durban or even the Centurion.