Rohit Sharma wants to play ODIs till 40, working special plan with coaching staff to stay fit: Report

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India captain Rohit Sharma is eyeing a long run in One Day Internationals (ODIs), with sources indicating that he is determined to continue playing until the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, reported Cricbuzz.

While speculation about his immediate retirement has been put to rest, the bigger question now is how long he will extend his international career and what his roadmap looks like.

Rohit, who will be 40 by the time of the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, is reportedly working on a detailed fitness and training plan to ensure he remains competitive at the highest level. He plans to collaborate closely with Abhishek Nayar, India's assistant coach and a long-time mentor, to refine his batting, manage workload, and maintain peak physical condition.

Rohit's aggressive batting at the top of the order has been a key factor in India's recent ICC tournament success, including the 2023 ODI World Cup, the 2024 T20 World Cup, and the Champions Trophy triumph.

With around 27 ODIs scheduled before the next World Cup, he is expected to use these games to prepare himself for the marquee event. Nayar, who has helped several Indian players like KL Rahul improve their game, will be a crucial figure in Rohit's plans.

However, while Rohit's roadmap for ODIs is becoming clearer, his future in Test cricket remains uncertain. His performances in the longest format have been inconsistent, and his decision to drop himself from the playing XI for the Sydney Test during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy raised questions about his long-term role in the red-ball setup. While he has expressed his desire to continue playing in both formats, the selectors are yet to take a final call.

A lot could depend on how Rohit Sharma performs in the upcoming IPL season. His workload, fitness, and overall form will likely influence whether he remains a part of India's Test plans for the England series in June and July. A well-placed source indicated that the selectors are in no rush to make a decision, stating, "Let the IPL be over first. Only an astrologer thinks so far ahead into the future."

For now, Rohit remains focused on his ODI journey, with 2027 in sight, but whether he continues beyond that will depend on how his body holds up and how the team management approaches the transition in the coming years.