AB de Villiers backs Rohit's decision to continue playing ODIs
What's the story
Former South African captain and cricket legend AB de Villiers has thrown his weight behind India's ODI captain Rohit Sharma. The endorsement comes days after Sharma quashed retirement rumors from international cricket after India's recent Champions Trophy win. De Villiers praised Sharma's exceptional record as a batter and captain, highlighting his remarkable ODI transformation over the past three years. "Why would he retire? With that kind of record," de Villiers remarked on his YouTube channel. Here's more.
Captaincy record
De Villiers highlights Sharma's exceptional win percentage
The former Proteas cricketer also noted that Rohit's win percentage as captain is close to 74%, far exceeding any other previous captain. "Look at Rohit's win percentage; it's almost 74%, which is more than any captain of the past," he lauded. "If he keeps going, he will go down as one of the best ODI captains," he added. This emphasizes Rohit's ability to etch an everlasting mark in the annals of cricket with his captaincy and tactical acumen.
Match performance
Sharma's significant contributions in the Champions Trophy final
Rohit's innings in the 2025 Champions Trophy final against New Zealand was instrumental in India's win. He scored 76 off 83 balls and was awarded Player of the Match. "That 76 in the final, giving India a fantastic start, laying the foundation for success and leading from the front when the pressure was at its peak. "Rohit Sharma has got no reason to retire. No reason to take any criticism whatsoever. His record speaks for himself," he further added.
Game evolution
De Villiers commends Sharma's adaptability and transformation
De Villiers commended Rohit for adapting his game, particularly improving his powerplay strike rate since 2022. "If we have a look at his strike rate in the Powerplay, it was quite low for an opening batter in the Powerplay. Since 2022 his strike rate has risen to 115 in the first powerplay and that's the difference between good and great," he said. This evolution shows Rohit's adaptability and growth, further establishing him as one of cricket's greats.
Resilience
De Villiers acknowledges Sharma's resilience amid criticism
AB de Villiers also acknowledged Rohit's ability to rise above criticism and deliver match-winning performances in ODIs. He highlighted Sharma's rise to third in the ICC ODI rankings after his Player of the Match performance in the Champions Trophy final. The recognition only goes on to show Sharma's resilience and determination to excel despite facing challenges, further enhancing his reputation as a top-tier cricketer.
Numbers
Rohit averages 48.76 in ODIs
After his brilliant half-century in the 2025 CT final against New Zealand, the skipper has raced to 11,168 runs across 273 ODIs. Meanwhile, he has managed an average of 48.76 in 265 innings, including a strike rate of 92.90. Overall, he also owns 32 centuries and 58 half-centuries alongside a career-high score of 264. According to ESPNcricinfo, Rohit has also amassed 2,506 runs at 52.20 across 55 innings as captain.