Champions Trophy 2025: AB De Villiers Believes Rohit Sharma Will Go Down As Best ODI Captains of All Time

Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers believes Rohit Sharma could go down as one of the greatest ODI captains of all time if he continues playing after dismissing rumours of retirement from the format following Team India's Champions Trophy triumph.

Rohit led the Men in Blue to 4-wicket victory over New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025 final in Dubai on Sunday (March 9), and moments after the trophy celebrations, the Indian skipper put an end to speculations that the title clash was his last ODI appearance.

"I am not going to retire from this (ODI) format. Going forward please don't spread rumours," Rohit said at the post-match press conference on March 9. "No future plans. Jo ho raha hain, woh chalta jayega (Whatever is happening will keep continuing)."

A few days later, the South African batting great, who said the Indian skipper has no reason to retire, said Rohit's record speaks for itself as captain and player especially in One Day Internationals.

"Compared to other captains, look at Rohit's win percentage - it's almost 74 per cent, which is substantially more than any other captain of the past. If he keeps going, he will go down as one of the best ODI captains of all time. Rohit has also said he is not retiring and has requested that rumours be stopped spreading,," de Villiers said in his YouTube channel.

"Why would he retire? With that kind of record not only as captain but also as a batter. 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 smashed an 83-ball 76, playing a pivotal role in India's tricky 252-run chase in the final against New Zealand in Dubai to win the player-of-the-match. His knock helped India win their second successive ICC title, having gone on a 11-year barren run since 2013.

Hailing Rohit's record as both a batter and captain, de Villiers was effusive in his praise for how the India captain transformed his batting in the ODI format over the last three years to win the T20 World Cup and the Champions Trophy in a span of nine months.

"Rohit Sharma has got no reason to retire. No reason to take any criticism whatsoever. His record speaks for himself. Not only that, but he has also sort of transformed his game," De Villiers added before comparing his strike rate improvement in the last few years.

"If we have a look at his strike rate in the Powerplay it was quite low for an opening batter but since 2022 his strike rate has risen to 115 in the first powerplay and that's the difference between good and great. It's transforming your own game and it never stops. You have always something to learn and something to do better."