Rohit Sharma Considered Retiring After 2023 World Cup Loss

Former Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma revealed on December 21, 2025, at a Masters Union event in Gurugram that he seriously considered retiring from the sport following India's defeat to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, describing the loss as leaving him emotionally and physically exhausted.

Under Sharma's leadership, India had an unbeaten run through the group stages and semifinals of the home tournament, securing nine straight victories before facing Australia in the final at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on November 19, 2023. Despite an early collapse by the visitors, who lost three wickets for just 47 runs, Australia recovered to chase down India's total of 240 with six wickets in hand, thanks to a match-winning century from opener Travis Head. The result ended India's dominant campaign on a shocking note, leaving the nation in disbelief after a month of high expectations.

Sharma, who assumed the ODI and Test captaincy in late 2021, opened up about the personal toll of the defeat. "After the 2023 World Cup final, I was completely distraught and felt like I didn't want to play this sport anymore because it had taken everything out of me and I felt I had...