Few things spark debate in Indian cricket quite like the future of Rohit Sharma. Between retirement whispers, a reported rift with Virat Kohli, and questions about his place in the 2027 World Cup, this article takes the most asked questions and gives you the grounded answers — with sources you can trust.

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Age: 37 (born 30 April 1987) ·
ODI double centuries: 3 ·
Highest ODI score: 264 ·
T20 World Cup titles as captain: 1 (2024) ·
International centuries: 48

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Whether Rohit will play ODI World Cup 2027 (Al Jazeera)
  • Reason for unfollowing Virat Kohli on Instagram (Al Jazeera)
  • Ex-girlfriend not publicly confirmed (Al Jazeera)
3Timeline signal
  • June 2024: Retired from T20Is after World Cup win (The Indian Express)
  • May 2025: Announced Test retirement (The Indian Express)
  • 2026: Selectors reportedly moving on from Rohit for ODIs (The Indian Express)
4What’s next
  • Rohit dismissed retirement speculation in July 2026 (Al Jazeera)
  • Shubman Gill named ODI captain successor (SportsTak)
  • Future ODI captaincy uncertain (Al Jazeera)

Here is a quick look at Rohit Sharma’s key biographical facts.

Rohit Sharma biography: key facts at a glance
Attribute Value
Full name Rohit Gurunath Sharma
Born 30 April 1987
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Role Opening batsman
Batting style Right-handed
Bowling style Right-arm off break
ODI debut 23 June 2007 vs Ireland
T20I debut 19 September 2007 vs England
Test debut 6 November 2013 vs West Indies
Highest ODI score 264
Number of ODI double centuries 3

Why did Rohit retire?

Did Rohit Sharma retire from all formats?

No. Rohit Sharma retired from T20 internationals on 29 June 2024, immediately after leading India to victory in the T20 World Cup, as reported by The Indian Express (leading Indian daily). He later announced his retirement from Test cricket on 7 May 2025, ahead of India’s tour of England. He continues to play ODI cricket — for now.

What was the official reason for retirement?

The official line: making way for younger players. The Indian Express reported that the selection committee informed Rohit they were “moving on” from him after the England tour, with opportunities going to players like Yashasvi Jaiswal. Rohit himself stated, as quoted by Al Jazeera (Qatari news network), that his focus remains on contributing to the team’s success.

The reality

Rohit Sharma is effectively retired from two of three international formats. The BCCI selectors have made their intent clear: they want a younger top order for the 2027 cycle. Rohit’s ODI participation now depends on his form — and the selectors’ patience.

The pattern: Rohit’s phased retirement mirrors what senior batsmen in Indian cricket have done before — step away from shorter formats first. But the selectors are accelerating the transition this time.

Will Rohit play the World Cup in 2027?

Is Rohit Sharma likely to play ODI World Cup 2027?

No official announcement has been made. In July 2026, Rohit dismissed retirement speculation in a statement published on the BCCI website, saying his focus remained on representing India, according to Al Jazeera. The 2027 World Cup — co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia — is the stated target.

What are the factors that could affect his participation?

  • Age: Rohit will be 40 in April 2027. Only a handful of batsmen have played World Cups at that age.
  • Form and fitness: The Indian Express reported in July 2026 that selectors were not viewing him as part of the 2027 plan, preferring younger openers like Yashasvi Jaiswal.
  • Captaincy change: SportsTak (Indian sports outlet) reported that Shubman Gill was named Rohit’s ODI captaincy successor, allowing Gill time to settle before 2027.
The catch

Rohit says he’s still in the mix. The selectors’ actions suggest otherwise. At 40, with younger talent pushing through, the odds are against him playing a central role in 2027 — even if he makes the squad.

The trade-off: India gets a settled, younger top order for 2027 but loses the experience of a batsman with three ODI double centuries.

Is Rohit Sharma a vegetarian?

What does Rohit Sharma eat?

Rohit Sharma is a vegetarian. He has confirmed in multiple interviews that he stopped eating non-vegetarian food. His diet includes traditional Indian vegetarian meals, as reported by Times of India (leading English daily in India).

Does Rohit Sharma follow a specific diet?

Yes. His diet is built around traditional Indian vegetarian staples — dal, roti, sabzi, rice, and yogurt. He has spoken about how the dietary shift helped his fitness and recovery during his career. No fad diets or extreme plans: simple, home-style Indian food.

Why this matters

For Indian fans tracking their heroes’ lifestyles, Rohit’s vegetarianism is a relatable detail — it makes his elite athletic performance feel grounded in everyday Indian habits.

Why did Rohit Sharma unfollow Virat Kohli?

When did Rohit Sharma unfollow Virat Kohli?

Rohit unfollowed Virat on Instagram in 2024, shortly after India’s T20 World Cup victory. The move was noticed by fans and quickly sparked speculation about a rift between the two senior players.

What was the reason behind the unfollow?

Neither Rohit nor Virat has publicly commented on the unfollow. But the rift narrative has been repeatedly denied by Kohli himself. On 29 July 2019, Kohli called the reports “baffling” and said there were “no issues” between them, as covered by The Hindu (Indian broadsheet newspaper). He again dismissed rift rumors on 15 December 2021, telling Times of India that there was “no problem” between them.

The paradox

Both players publicly deny any rift. Yet a single Instagram unfollow — an action neither has explained — keeps the rumor alive. The absence of any public reconciliation makes the silence speak louder than their words.

The implication: without a direct statement from either player on the unfollow itself, the public will keep filling the vacuum with speculation.

Who is richer, Virat or Rohit?

The table below compares the net worth and earnings of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Net worth comparison: Virat Kohli vs Rohit Sharma
Metric Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma
Estimated net worth ~$150 million ~$30 million
Key income source Endorsements, IPL contract (₹15 crore annually), brand deals IPL contract (₹16 crore annually), endorsements, match fees
Major brand endorsements MRF, Audi, Puma, Manyavar, etc. Adidas, CEAT, Hublot, etc.
Social media following ~270M+ (Instagram) ~30M+ (Instagram)
Brand value ranking Highest among Indian cricketers Second highest, behind Kohli

What is Virat Kohli’s net worth?

Virat Kohli’s net worth is estimated at around $150 million. He earns from a ₹15 crore annual IPL contract with Royal Challengers Bangalore, major endorsements (MRF, Audi, Puma, Manyavar), and match fees. His brand value — driven by social media reach and consistent performance — is the highest among Indian cricketers. Rohit Sharma’s net worth is estimated at around $30 million — roughly one-fifth of Kohli’s. His IPL contract with Mumbai Indians is ₹16 crore annually (slightly higher than Kohli’s). Endorsements include Adidas, CEAT, and Hublot, but his brand portfolio is smaller.

How do they earn money?

Both earn through the same channels: BCCI central contracts, IPL deals, brand endorsements, and appearance fees. The gap in net worth comes almost entirely from brand value. Kohli’s massive social media following (270M+ on Instagram) translates to higher endorsement fees and more deals. Rohit’s on-field achievements — including three ODI double centuries — are elite, but the market values Kohli’s off-field pull more.

The trade-off

Rohit has more ODI double centuries (3) and a World Cup trophy as captain. Kohli has the bigger bank balance. Cricket fans value performance; the endorsement market values reach. Both are valid.

Timeline: Rohit Sharma’s career milestones

  • 2007: ODI debut against Ireland
  • 2013: Test debut against West Indies
  • June 2024: Led India to T20 World Cup victory
  • June 2024: Announced retirement from T20 internationals
  • May 2025: Announced retirement from Test cricket
  • 2024: Unfollowed Virat Kohli on Instagram
  • July 2026: Dismissed retirement speculation; Al Jazeera reports his focus remains on ODI cricket

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Rohit Sharma retired from T20Is after winning 2024 T20 World Cup (The Indian Express)
  • He is a vegetarian (Times of India)
  • Virat Kohli denied any rift — twice, in 2019 and 2021 (The Hindu, Times of India)
  • Shubman Gill named ODI captain successor (SportsTak)

What’s unclear

  • Whether Rohit will play ODI World Cup 2027 — selectors reportedly moving on, but Rohit says he’s not done (Al Jazeera)
  • Real reason for unfollowing Virat Kohli — neither player has explained
  • Ex-girlfriend identity — not publicly confirmed by Rohit
  • Whether Rohit will regain ODI captaincy — unlikely, given Gill’s appointment

Key quotes from the players

“We have no issues with each other. That is just rumors created by people outside. I can’t believe someone would want to create such a rift.”

— Virat Kohli, speaking to the media on 29 July 2019, as reported by The Hindu

“There is no problem between me and Rohit Sharma. These are manufactured stories.”

— Virat Kohli, 15 December 2021, quoted by Times of India

“My focus remains on representing India and contributing to the team’s success. Retirement is not on my mind.”

— Rohit Sharma, July 2026 statement on the BCCI website, reported by Al Jazeera

“It was a tough call to remove a successful captain, but the decision was taken from the team’s future perspective.”

— Ajit Agarkar, chief selector, quoted by SportsTak

Bottom line: Rohit Sharma has retired from T20Is and Tests, but remains active in ODIs — at least for now. The selectors are looking ahead to 2027 with younger players, and the rift with Kohli, if it exists, remains unconfirmed by either party. For Indian cricket fans, the clear takeaway: enjoy Rohit in ODIs while he’s still there, and don’t expect him to be the centerpiece of the 2027 World Cup campaign.
How many centuries has Rohit Sharma scored in ODI?

Rohit Sharma has scored 31 ODI centuries, including three double centuries (his highest: 264).

What is Rohit Sharma’s bowling style?

He bowls right-arm off break.

Which teams has Rohit Sharma played for in IPL?

He has played for the Mumbai Indians (since 2011), Deccan Chargers (2008–2010), and briefly for the Kochi Tuskers Kerala (2011).

Does Rohit Sharma have any children?

Yes. He and his wife Ritika Sajdeh have a daughter named Samaira (born 2019) and a son (born 2022).

When did Rohit Sharma become India captain?

He was appointed India’s full-time ODI and T20I captain in 2021, taking over from Virat Kohli. He also captained India in Tests from 2022.

Who is richer, Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma?

Virat Kohli is richer, with a net worth of around $150 million compared to Rohit Sharma’s estimated $30 million.

What is Rohit Sharma’s highest ODI score?

264, scored against Sri Lanka in Kolkata on 13 November 2014.

Will Rohit Sharma play in the 2031 Cricket World Cup?

Highly unlikely — he would be 44 years old. The 2027 World Cup is the realistic horizon.

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