Will Rohit Sharma retire? Lord's ODI could be his last match for India
The third ODI against England at Lord's on Sunday could be Rohit Sharma's final match for India, with the national selection committee unlikely to retain the veteran opener beyond the ongoing UK tour, according to a PTI report.
Rohit Sharma could be set for his final appearance in India colours in the third ODI against England at Lord's on Sunday, with selectors unlikely to back the veteran opener beyond the ongoing series in the United Kingdom, according to a PTI report.
The former India captain has endured a lean run in the 50-over format. In his last eight ODIs, the 39-year-old has scored 241 runs at an average of 30.1 and a strike rate of 88.6, with just one half-century. Rohit managed 26 off 47 balls in the second ODI before falling to Will Jacks, extending his disappointing start to the three-match series in England.
According to the report, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, who is travelling with the Indian team in England, is aligned with the team management's long-term plans, with Rohit no longer part of the roadmap leading up to the 2027 ODI World Cup.
"The national selectors are keen that Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored two hundreds in three innings, gets a longer rope. There are around 20 games and Jaiswal needs to be given those 20 games.
"No one can tell Rohit to retire but this is very clear that going forward for the home series against West Indies in September, the selectors would like to look forward. Rohit's future is a decision that he needs to take," a senior BCCI source privy to selection matters told PTI on condition of anonymity.
The selectors are understood to be keen on giving Jaiswal an extended run at the top of the order, believing the left-hander needs consistent opportunities before next year's major assignments. Continuing with Rohit beyond the England series would significantly reduce Jaiswal's chances of gaining valuable ODI experience.
It is also learnt that head coach Gautam Gambhir and Agarkar are on the same page regarding the senior players. While Virat Kohli remains an automatic selection because of his form and fitness, the same clarity does not exist over Rohit's future.
Interestingly, the report comes a day after the report that Gambhir had given Rohit complete freedom to play his natural game, with the team management keen to ensure that the veteran opener approaches cricket with a relaxed frame of mind.
"Rohit has done a lot for this team and the country in white-ball cricket. The coach wants him to play the way he has throughout his career and express himself freely," sources told India Today.
"The way Rohit Sharma has been batting under pressure, it seems clear that he needs a bit of time and mental space rather than constant scrutiny," the source added.
"Players of his calibre often perform at their best when they are free from external pressure and allowed to trust their natural instincts. Instead of overanalysing every innings, it is important to back someone who has consistently delivered for India over the years. A relaxed and confident Rohit Sharma is capable of changing games on his own, and sometimes faith and patience are just as important as technical adjustments."
Gambhir's message appears to counter the growing speculation over Rohit's ODI future, with reports suggesting his place in the side ahead of next year's World Cup is under scrutiny. Rohit, who led India to the 2025 Champions Trophy title, was removed as ODI captain soon after the triumph, with Shubman Gill taking over.
There has been a growing belief that Rohit, now 39 and set to be 41 by the time the 2027 ODI World Cup begins, may find it difficult to meet the physical demands of batting in South African conditions. However, the former captain, who now plays only ODIs for India, has continued to work on his fitness in a bid to extend his career.
The uncertainty over Rohit's future comes only months after he stepped away from Test cricket. His retirement from the longest format was accompanied by differing accounts over the circumstances surrounding the decision.
Sources close to the selection committee maintained that they did not want Rohit deciding his future after playing only two of the five Tests in England, while those close to the former skipper insisted that he had made himself available for the entire series and never intended to feature in only two matches.
If Sunday's match does turn out to be Rohit's final appearance in India colours, it would bring the curtain down on one of the country's most decorated white-ball careers. The opener led India to the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy titles, cementing his legacy as one of the most successful captains in white-ball cricket. The final decision, however, now appears to rest with Rohit himself.
Rohit Sharma could be set for his final appearance in India colours in the third ODI against England at Lord's on Sunday, with selectors unlikely to back the veteran opener beyond the ongoing series in the United Kingdom, according to a PTI report.
The former India captain has endured a lean run in the 50-over format. In his last eight ODIs, the 39-year-old has scored 241 runs at an average of 30.1 and a strike rate of 88.6, with just one half-century. Rohit managed 26 off 47 balls in the second ODI before falling to Will Jacks, extending his disappointing start to the three-match series in England.
According to the report, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, who is travelling with the Indian team in England, is aligned with the team management's long-term plans, with Rohit no longer part of the roadmap leading up to the 2027 ODI World Cup.
"The national selectors are keen that Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored two hundreds in three innings, gets a longer rope. There are around 20 games and Jaiswal needs to be given those 20 games.
"No one can tell Rohit to retire but this is very clear that going forward for the home series against West Indies in September, the selectors would like to look forward. Rohit's future is a decision that he needs to take," a senior BCCI source privy to selection matters told PTI on condition of anonymity.
The selectors are understood to be keen on giving Jaiswal an extended run at the top of the order, believing the left-hander needs consistent opportunities before next year's major assignments. Continuing with Rohit beyond the England series would significantly reduce Jaiswal's chances of gaining valuable ODI experience.
It is also learnt that head coach Gautam Gambhir and Agarkar are on the same page regarding the senior players. While Virat Kohli remains an automatic selection because of his form and fitness, the same clarity does not exist over Rohit's future.
Interestingly, the report comes a day after the report that Gambhir had given Rohit complete freedom to play his natural game, with the team management keen to ensure that the veteran opener approaches cricket with a relaxed frame of mind.
"Rohit has done a lot for this team and the country in white-ball cricket. The coach wants him to play the way he has throughout his career and express himself freely," sources told India Today.
"The way Rohit Sharma has been batting under pressure, it seems clear that he needs a bit of time and mental space rather than constant scrutiny," the source added.
"Players of his calibre often perform at their best when they are free from external pressure and allowed to trust their natural instincts. Instead of overanalysing every innings, it is important to back someone who has consistently delivered for India over the years. A relaxed and confident Rohit Sharma is capable of changing games on his own, and sometimes faith and patience are just as important as technical adjustments."
Gambhir's message appears to counter the growing speculation over Rohit's ODI future, with reports suggesting his place in the side ahead of next year's World Cup is under scrutiny. Rohit, who led India to the 2025 Champions Trophy title, was removed as ODI captain soon after the triumph, with Shubman Gill taking over.
There has been a growing belief that Rohit, now 39 and set to be 41 by the time the 2027 ODI World Cup begins, may find it difficult to meet the physical demands of batting in South African conditions. However, the former captain, who now plays only ODIs for India, has continued to work on his fitness in a bid to extend his career.
The uncertainty over Rohit's future comes only months after he stepped away from Test cricket. His retirement from the longest format was accompanied by differing accounts over the circumstances surrounding the decision.
Sources close to the selection committee maintained that they did not want Rohit deciding his future after playing only two of the five Tests in England, while those close to the former skipper insisted that he had made himself available for the entire series and never intended to feature in only two matches.
If Sunday's match does turn out to be Rohit's final appearance in India colours, it would bring the curtain down on one of the country's most decorated white-ball careers. The opener led India to the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy titles, cementing his legacy as one of the most successful captains in white-ball cricket. The final decision, however, now appears to rest with Rohit himself.
Rohit Sharma could be set for his final appearance in India colours in the third ODI against England at Lord's on Sunday, with selectors unlikely to back the veteran opener beyond the ongoing series in the United Kingdom, according to a PTI report.
The former India captain has endured a lean run in the 50-over format. In his last eight ODIs, the 39-year-old has scored 241 runs at an average of 30.1 and a strike rate of 88.6, with just one half-century. Rohit managed 26 off 47 balls in the second ODI before falling to Will Jacks, extending his disappointing start to the three-match series in England.
According to the report, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, who is travelling with the Indian team in England, is aligned with the team management's long-term plans, with Rohit no longer part of the roadmap leading up to the 2027 ODI World Cup.
"The national selectors are keen that Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored two hundreds in three innings, gets a longer rope. There are around 20 games and Jaiswal needs to be given those 20 games.
"No one can tell Rohit to retire but this is very clear that going forward for the home series against West Indies in September, the selectors would like to look forward. Rohit's future is a decision that he needs to take," a senior BCCI source privy to selection matters told PTI on condition of anonymity.
The selectors are understood to be keen on giving Jaiswal an extended run at the top of the order, believing the left-hander needs consistent opportunities before next year's major assignments. Continuing with Rohit beyond the England series would significantly reduce Jaiswal's chances of gaining valuable ODI experience.
It is also learnt that head coach Gautam Gambhir and Agarkar are on the same page regarding the senior players. While Virat Kohli remains an automatic selection because of his form and fitness, the same clarity does not exist over Rohit's future.
Interestingly, the report comes a day after the report that Gambhir had given Rohit complete freedom to play his natural game, with the team management keen to ensure that the veteran opener approaches cricket with a relaxed frame of mind.
"Rohit has done a lot for this team and the country in white-ball cricket. The coach wants him to play the way he has throughout his career and express himself freely," sources told India Today.
"The way Rohit Sharma has been batting under pressure, it seems clear that he needs a bit of time and mental space rather than constant scrutiny," the source added.
"Players of his calibre often perform at their best when they are free from external pressure and allowed to trust their natural instincts. Instead of overanalysing every innings, it is important to back someone who has consistently delivered for India over the years. A relaxed and confident Rohit Sharma is capable of changing games on his own, and sometimes faith and patience are just as important as technical adjustments."
Gambhir's message appears to counter the growing speculation over Rohit's ODI future, with reports suggesting his place in the side ahead of next year's World Cup is under scrutiny. Rohit, who led India to the 2025 Champions Trophy title, was removed as ODI captain soon after the triumph, with Shubman Gill taking over.
There has been a growing belief that Rohit, now 39 and set to be 41 by the time the 2027 ODI World Cup begins, may find it difficult to meet the physical demands of batting in South African conditions. However, the former captain, who now plays only ODIs for India, has continued to work on his fitness in a bid to extend his career.
The uncertainty over Rohit's future comes only months after he stepped away from Test cricket. His retirement from the longest format was accompanied by differing accounts over the circumstances surrounding the decision.
Sources close to the selection committee maintained that they did not want Rohit deciding his future after playing only two of the five Tests in England, while those close to the former skipper insisted that he had made himself available for the entire series and never intended to feature in only two matches.
If Sunday's match does turn out to be Rohit's final appearance in India colours, it would bring the curtain down on one of the country's most decorated white-ball careers. The opener led India to the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy titles, cementing his legacy as one of the most successful captains in white-ball cricket. The final decision, however, now appears to rest with Rohit himself.
