Indian cricket icon Rohit Sharma recently made his first public appearance since being relieved of his ODI captaincy, attending the prestigious 27th CEAT Cricket Rating Awards in Mumbai. Looking noticeably leaner, fitter, and radiating unwavering determination, the veteran opener received a special recognition award, drawing admiration for his physical transformation.
Despite the recent changes in his leadership role, Rohit’s focus remains squarely on the pitch. He expressed genuine enthusiasm for the upcoming three-match One-Day International series against Australia, set to kick off on October 19.
Speaking about the challenge, Rohit stated, “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.” His remarks underscored his excitement and deep respect for playing in the demanding Australian conditions.
He further 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.”
Even after handing over the ODI captaincy reins to Shubman Gill, Rohit’s confident words and composed demeanor clearly conveyed that he is far from done. The 38-year-old, who previously led India to back-to-back ICC titles in the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy, emphasized his commitment to performing exceptionally across all three 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 shared.
Observers widely noted Rohit’s improved fitness and sharp appearance, indicating his rigorous preparation for the challenging tour ahead. He appears fully ready to embrace any on-field obstacle.