In a candid revelation that has ignited cricket fans across India, Rohit Sharma vows to chase down the ghost of the 2023 ODI World Cup final defeat. The ex-skipper, who masterminded victories in T20 World Cup 2024 and Champions Trophy 2025, refuses to let that Ahmedabad agony fade into memory. Speaking at an ICC gathering mid-week, Sharma made his intentions crystal clear for the 2027 edition.
‘Playing is not enough; I crave that victory for India,’ he declared passionately. Sharma’s love affair with 50-over cricket stems from childhood, a time when the World Cup was the be-all and end-all, sans the T20 revolution or IPL glitz. ‘Every four years, it was the biggest stage, loaded with pressure and prestige,’ he reflected.
Now 37 and post-retirement from shorter formats, fitness concerns loomed large. Yet, Sharma’s transformation over the past six months—slimmed physique, rigorous training, and match-winning knocks versus Australia and South Africa—paints a picture of defiance. Even a subpar New Zealand series couldn’t dim his resurgence.
Statistically, he’s a colossus: 11,577 ODI runs from 274 innings in 282 games, laced with 33 hundreds and 61 half-centuries. This isn’t mere nostalgia; it’s a battle cry. As Sharma recommits to the format he reveres, can he deliver the one trophy that has eluded his cabinet? Indian cricket holds its breath, poised for another chapter in this saga of redemption.