'Feel like I have been rested for a series'- Rohit Sharma still not over his T20I retirement

Indian ODI team skipper Rohit Sharma recently opened up about his retirement from T20 Internationals, sharing his thoughts on the transition and the future of Indian cricket. Ahead of the ODI series against Sri Lanka, Sharma provided insights into his mindset and the team's direction under new leadership in the T20 format.

Sharma announced his retirement from T20 internationals following India's victory in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa in June. This decision marked the end of an era for one of India's most successful T20 players, who had been part of the inaugural T20 World Cup-winning team in 2007. The veteran batter revealed that the reality of his T20I retirement hasn't fully sunk in yet. 

"At the moment, the T20I retirement feeling is like I have been rested for a series like it used to happen in the past, and there will be big tournaments coming up and we have to get ready for T20Is again. I still feel like that, so I don't think I am completely out," he said at the pre-match press conference.

Also read: Difficult to choose between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, both are match-winners: Rohit Sharma

Let Suryakumar Yadav do the job a bit more: Rohit Sharma

He also opened up on the future of Indian T20 cricket, particularly the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, who led the team to a 3-0 series victory against Sri Lanka. Sharma offered another perspective on Yadav's captaincy.

"Early days for Surya as T20I captain. Good start, but let him do the job a bit more," he added.

The series marks the return of veterans Sharma and Virat Kohli to the ODI squad for the first time since the 2023 World Cup final loss to Australia. With India on the verge of achieving 100 ODI wins against Sri Lanka, a feat no team has accomplished against a single opponent, expectations are high for continued dominance in the 50-over format.