Former India captain Anjum Chopra believes Rohit Sharma alone should decide his international future, emphasizing that legendary players have earned the right to exit on their own terms. The comments came ahead of India’s upcoming ODI series against the West Indies.
With discussions surrounding the veteran opener’s longevity intensifying ahead of the bilateral rubber, Chopra stressed that self-assessment remains the deciding factor for elite athletes.
“Ultimately, that decision belongs to the player. Every cricketer knows their own situation, whether they still have the desire, the freshness and the enthusiasm to continue,” Chopra said in an interview with NDTV. “Personally, I have always felt that players like MS Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should just keep playing because they are such talented cricketers who make the game look beautiful with their presence and stroke play.”
Sharma, who stepped away from T20Is following India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, continues to anchor the top order in the 50-over format. He is also touted to play an important role in the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Chopra noted that while retirement is inevitable for every sporting icon, outside pressure should not dictate the timeline.
“Of course, nobody can play forever and every player eventually has to make a decision,” Chopra added. “But it should always be driven by the player. Once they are convinced that the time is right, everything else will fall into place.”
“Sanju should be allowed to play freely” – Anjum Chopra on Vaibhav Suryavanshi replacing Samson
Chopra further urged selectors and fans to give wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson breathing room, warning against discarding established performers whenever new talent emerges.
Amid intense competition for the opening slot, Chopra emphasized that cricketers require job security to perform at their peak.
“I think we should let Sanju Samson be,” the cricketer-turned-commentator said. “Playing for India always comes with pressure and competition, and every player understands that they need to keep performing. But no one likes to feel a constant question mark hanging over their place in the team. Sanju should be allowed to play freely.”
Addressing the hype surrounding teenage prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Chopra acknowledged his potential while underscoring the value of experienced white-ball regulars.
“Suryavanshi is a great talent. He has already made it to the Indian setup and will remain in contention. But we should remember that players such as Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Rinku Singh have also worked hard and earned their opportunities,” she concluded.
Both Samson and Suryavanshi will next be seen in action during the ongoing Asian Games. They will begin their campaign at the 2026 Asian Games in the second quarterfinal on September 28, 2026.
Edited by Ankush Das
