NEW DELHI: Former India captain Rohit Sharma made a striking return to the public eye on Tuesday, attending the 27th edition of the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards in Mumbai. It was his first appearance since being removed as India’s ODI captain, and the veteran opener looked leaner, fitter, and more determined than ever.
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Rohit, who led India to consecutive ICC titles — the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy — received a special recognition award. While fans admired his physical transformation, his focus remained firmly on cricket, particularly the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia starting October 19.
“I love playing against them. I love going to Australia. It’s a very challenging country to play cricket.
People there love the game as well,” Rohit said. His comments reflected both excitement and respect for the Australian conditions.
He added, “Australia is a different challenge every time they have played against us. Having been there now several times, I do understand what to expect. Hopefully we can go there and do what the Indian team is supposed to do and get the result in our favour.”
Despite relinquishing the ODI captaincy to
Shubman Gill, Rohit’s words and demeanor exuded the confidence of a player far from finished. The 38-year-old, who guided India through two unbeaten ICC campaigns, emphasised his pride in contributing across formats.
“I personally took a lot of pride in trying to excel in all three forms whenever I had the opportunity, and that is something that a few others also did and that eventually rubbed off on the team as well,” he said.
Rohit’s fitness and sharp appearance were widely noted. On Tuesday night, he looked ready to face any challenge, demonstrating that he has worked hard to remain in peak condition for the upcoming tour.
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