Rohit Sharma, retired from T20Is but freshly named ICC T20 World Cup 2026 ambassador, promises to mentor India’s next generation during the upcoming ODI series against South Africa. The 2007 and 2024 champion emphasized his ongoing role: “I have always been that person who’s there to provide advice.”

Mentorship During South Africa ODIs

Rohit will connect with T20 squad members in Ranchi, where India’s white-ball series begins November 30. “I’m going to go to Ranchi and meet some of these guys there who are going to be part of the T20 setup,” he shared during a Mumbai panel with Suryakumar Yadav, Harmanpreet Kaur, and ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta.

He thrives on player conversations: “There’s always a conversation that happens between the players, and I am somebody who likes to talk, discuss and get into their mindset a little bit and understand what they are thinking.”

Final Prep Against New Zealand

Rohit sees little need for overhaul given recent form but flags the home T20I series against New Zealand in January as crunch time: “The final prep will be just around when they play New Zealand. That’s when they should try and get their playing XI or their (squad of) 15 in mind.”

As the only player in all nine T20 World Cups—with 4,231 runs at 141 strike rate—his counsel carries weight for Suryakumar’s defending champions targeting back-to-back titles in the India-Sri Lanka hosted event.