Amidst swirling speculation regarding his future in One Day International (ODI) cricket, veteran Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma has been spotted hitting the gym and training with Abhishek Nayar, a former assistant coach. This move comes as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly focused on the T20 World Cup, further fueling rumors about the futures of Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Sharma's recent activity suggests he is preparing for the upcoming ODI series against Australia in October. After a brief break from cricket, Sharma has refocused on regaining his fitness. He shared a photo on Instagram of himself in a Mumbai gym alongside Nayar, confirming his recommitment to training.
The 38-year-old Sharma had previously announced his retirement from Test cricket during the 2025 IPL season, a decision that was followed shortly by Kohli's departure from the format. Despite these changes, Sharma seems determined to continue his ODI career, with an eye toward the 2027 World Cup.
Recent reports suggested that Sharma might soon retire from ODIs, potentially after the Australia tour. These rumors gained traction after the cancellation of the Bangladesh series in August, leaving the Australia series as India's next 50-over challenge. Some reports even speculated that the BCCI might be considering Shubman Gill, who recently took over the Test team captaincy, for the ODI leadership role.
However, Sharma's renewed training regime indicates he has no immediate plans to step away from the 50-over format. He last played for India in the Champions Trophy, where he led the team to victory against New Zealand. Sharma's commitment to ODIs is further underscored by his public statements expressing a desire to play in the 2027 ODI World Cup. In May 2025, he stated that playing in the 2027 World Cup was "definitely on my mind".
Sharma and Nayar share a close bond that extends beyond the cricket field. Nayar has been a consistent source of support for Sharma, particularly during challenging periods in his career. After being excluded from the 2011 ODI World Cup squad, Sharma sought guidance from Nayar. Even now, he continues to train with Nayar to refine his skills and maintain peak fitness. Nayar, a former Mumbai teammate, has transitioned into coaching, including roles with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Indian cricket team. He is currently the head coach of UP Warriorz in the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
Sharma has been out of action since the conclusion of IPL 2025 in early June. He spent time vacationing, including attending the India vs. England Test match at The Oval. Upon returning to Mumbai, he promptly reconnected with Nayar to begin training.
As Sharma prepares for the Australia ODIs, his dedication to fitness and his ongoing collaboration with Nayar send a clear message: he is not ready to hang up his boots just yet. With India scheduled to play 27 ODIs leading up to the 2027 World Cup, the pressure will be on Sharma to prove he can still lead the team effectively.
