Rohit Sharma resumes training with Abhishek Nayar amid ODI retirement buzz
After a short break from cricketing action, India's ODI captain Rohit Sharma has returned to training. While Rohit had been away from the field for months, the skipper remained in the headlines for one reason or another. The most significant update concerns Rohit’s future in ODIs, the only format in which he is still active. The 38-year-old announced his Test retirement during IPL 2025, stepping away before India began the new WTC cycle with the England tour. Now, with age no longer on his side, the BCCI is reportedly not considering Rohit as a reliable prospect for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup.
Rohit Sharma dashes ODI retirement speculations, starts training with Abhishek Nayar ahead of Australia Tour
After a short break from cricket, Rohit Sharma is back in training mode. Having recently returned from the UK, the 38-year-old shared a gym photo with long-time mentor and former India batting coach Abhishek Nayar. His focus has now shifted towards regaining peak fitness in preparation for the ODI series against Australia scheduled in October.
Rohit had stunned the cricketing world earlier this year when, in the midst of IPL 2025 and ahead of the India vs England Test series, he announced his retirement from Test cricket. The shock intensified when, only days after Rohit’s exit, Virat Kohli also announced his Test retirement. The most recent appearance of Rohit Sharma for India came during the ICC Champions Trophy, where he captained the team to the title win in Dubai.
After his T20I retirement in 2024, following India’s T20 World Cup win, and his recent Test exit, Rohit, along with Kohli, remains active solely in the 50-over format. Meanwhile, recent reports emerging from the BCCI corridors cast a dark shadow over the seniors’ roles in the white-ball format. According to these updates, the upcoming Australia tour could very well be the last ODI appearance for both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The board reportedly plans to mandate that the veterans participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy following the Australia tour if they wish to remain in contention for future selections.
The contentious move, although not yet confirmed by any concerned parties, is likely to push both Rohit and Kohli towards ODI retirement. The BCCI is looking to transition the ODI squad in a way that aligns with the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup. With both Kohli and Rohit nearing their 40s and India’s ODI schedule being sporadic, the board is unsure whether the seniors can sustain their form and fitness until the marquee event in South Africa. Moreover, there is strong speculation that the BCCI could hand over the ODI reins to Shubman Gill, who recently became the Test skipper.
Rohit Sharma snaps with Abhishek Nayar. 🏏
— OneTurf News (@oneturf_news) August 12, 2025
📸: ICC/Rohit Sharma#oneturfnews #rohitsharma #hitman #teamindia #cricket pic.twitter.com/AMLEKB4FDy
With the Bangladesh series in August cancelled, the next ODI series in the India cricket schedule is slated on the Australia Tour from October 19 to 25. The report suggests that both Rohit and Kohli could bid farewell to ODIs after that tour. However, Rohit’s immediate return to training appears to indicate otherwise, hinting that he has no immediate plans to step away from the format.
After the conclusion of IPL 2025, Rohit's last appearance on the field, the former Test captain enjoyed a family holiday in the UK and was spotted at The Oval during the fifth and final India vs England Test. Just days after arriving back in Mumbai, he was seen training alongside Nayar, a figure who has been instrumental in his career. Their association goes back to 2011, when Rohit, left out of the 2011 ICC ODI World Cup squad, turned to Nayar for guidance. Over the years, the bond has endured, with Nayar continuing to help fine-tune Rohit’s skills and maintain his fitness levels.
Abhishek Nayar was relieved of his duties as India’s assistant coach after the disappointing conclusion to the last WTC cycle. Credited with fine-tuning the techniques of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and others, he returned to the Kolkata Knight Riders as their assistant coach. Meanwhile, In IPL 2025, Rohit’s campaign began on a slow note, but he later found form, crediting Nayar for the turnaround in a heartfelt social media post. Nayar has since joined UP Warriorz in the WPL after the franchise parted ways with Jon Lewis.
