Rohit Sharma Clarifies Age Was Not the Reason for T20I Retirement

Team India captain Rohit Sharma announced his T20I retirement following a highly anticipated World Cup victory in June earlier this year. This win was significant for several reasons: it marked India’s first ICC title since 2013 when an MS Dhoni-led team lifted the Champions Trophy, and it was only the second time India had claimed the T20 World Cup since its inaugural edition in 2007. Moreover, Rohit's team had suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the ODI World Cup final at home just six months before the T20 tournament, making this triumph even more rewarding.

Alongside Rohit, India's batting stalwart Virat Kohli also announced his retirement from T20Is. While it was a fitting farewell for the duo, Rohit has since clarified that his decision was not motivated by age; he believes he can still easily compete in all three formats.

In an interview with the YouTube channel FITTR, the host asked Rohit if he had ever thought about retiring from cricket due to feeling "not that young."

“Was there a time when you felt that you’re not that young, and maybe it's time for me to put down the gloves?” the host inquired.

Rohit quickly dismissed this notion, stating that his choice to step away from T20Is stemmed from the abundance of talented players ready to take his place.

“No, no, no. The only reason I retired from T20Is was that I’ve had my time. I enjoyed playing the format. I played for 17 years and performed well. Winning the World Cup made it the perfect moment to move on and focus on other aspects. There are plenty of good players who can contribute to the team,” Rohit explained.

He further emphasised, “It wasn't because I felt anything. I just sensed it was the right time. I can still easily play all three formats. Fitness is a mindset, and how you approach your training matters. I believe everything is in the mind; I have a strong sense of self-belief because I know I can control my thoughts. It’s not easy, but I know I can do it most of the time. If you tell your body you’re young, you can achieve that.”

Rohit continues to captain the Indian team in ODIs and Tests and is currently leading the squad in a two-Test series against Bangladesh. His upcoming captaincy responsibilities include a three-Test series against New Zealand and the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.

Next year, Rohit could potentially guide India in two ICC tournaments: the Champions Trophy and, if they maintain their position at the top of the World Test Championship table, they will qualify for a third consecutive final.