CT 2025 Preview: Will Rohit Sharma Retire After IND vs NZ Final Today?

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The momentous journey of two cricketing icons, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, may be nearing its end. After more than a decade and a half of unparalleled excellence, both are edging closer to the twilight of their illustrious careers. With the final match on the horizon, will they exit the stage with a bang, their legacies etched in golden glory, or will the story have a different ending? The answer remains uncertain, but the stakes could not be higher.

If this is indeed their swansong, the only fitting tribute to these titans of Indian cricket would be a victorious finish — lifting the ICC Champions Trophy for the first time in 12 years. It would add another dazzling chapter to their already legendary careers. However, Rohit Sharma, who has often played quick cameos, must now evolve. His fleeting 20s and 30s must give way to an innings of substance. With Matt Henry’s potential absence, the opportunity for a decisive performance is ripe. Rohit cannot afford to wait for luck; the time to take charge is now.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli, ever the maestro, has been orchestrating his own comeback. With a century and two half-centuries in his last five innings, Kohli is looking back at his prime, his remarkable form starting to surface again. As the last act approaches, the question remains: can Kohli summon the aura that made him untouchable, leading his team to a thrilling victory?

For India to reclaim the Champions Trophy, they must first face their perennial nemesis — New Zealand. The Kiwis have been a formidable obstacle, consistently outplaying India in ICC tournaments. With a 10-6 record in ICC events and a 3-1 advantage in knockout games, New Zealand has a psychological upper hand. But for India, it’s time to break the cycle and silence the critics. Adding fuel to the fire are murmurs surrounding India’s extended stay in Dubai, but the best way to quiet these whispers is through exceptional performance on the field, not just words.

India will likely stick to their tried-and-tested strategy — a powerful combination of four spinners and two pacers. Their spin quartet has been nothing short of brilliant, especially on slow surfaces, a weapon that has already proven its worth against top-tier sides.

The Spin Web: India’s Secret Weapon

Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav, the right- and left-arm spinners respectively, have been the wizards who confound batsmen with their variations. Alongside them, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel have played the role of silent assassins, suffocating the opposition with their accuracy and skill. If the final is held on the same pitch as the India-Pakistan clash, New Zealand may find themselves entangled in this four-pronged spin trap, their progress stymied.

For New Zealand, the pressure lies on the shoulders of two men: Kane Williamson, the evergreen anchor, and Rachin Ravindra, the rising star. These two, adept at handling spin, will need to anchor the innings and play with the maturity that has characterized their best performances.

New Zealand, however, has its own weapons. Captain Mitchell Santner, along with Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra, form a potent spin attack capable of dismantling India’s top order. They have done it before — in Test matches and limited-overs cricket. History suggests that the Kiwis are more than capable of creating chaos.

A throwback to the 2000 ICC Knockouts in Kenya reminds us of New Zealand’s solitary ICC title, which came at India’s expense. The ghost of that defeat still lingers, adding an extra layer of motivation for India to break this cycle.

The New Generation Steps Up

While the weight of history rests on the shoulders of veterans like Rohit and Kohli, India cannot afford to rely solely on them. The next generation must step up. Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya — their time has come. Gill and Iyer have shown moments of brilliance, but now, they need to deliver on the grandest stage. Rahul and Pandya have been crucial in the lower middle order, providing vital runs when needed. The time for second chances is gone.

This is the final act for India. The stakes are monumental, the pressure immense. For Rohit and Kohli, for India, and for a cricketing era, the time for reckoning has arrived. This is their last stand — the final battle. The question remains: will it end in fairytale glory?

Squads:

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakravarthy.

New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Jacob Duffy.