If Rohit Sharma plays his last game for India at Lord's on Sunday, one thing seems clear: it may not be fully his own decision. Reports suggest the veteran opener still wants to play on and chase his dream of winning the 2027 World Cup — but that call may no longer be in his hands.
This adds a new twist to the retirement talk swirling around Rohit ahead of the third and final ODI against England.
He wants to stay — but the selectors have other ideas
According to reports in the Indian Express and Cricbuzz, the BCCI selectors, with head coach Gautam Gambhir in the loop, have already told Rohit they are moving on from him after this England tour. They want to build around younger players like Yashasvi Jaiswal for the 2027 World Cup in Africa.
The problem is that Rohit does not want to walk away. Sources say he has made it clear — to those close to him and to BCCI officials — that playing the 2027 World Cup is his dream, and he worked hard on his fitness to keep going. As one board source put it, the selectors have "left the ball in Sharma's court".
Two versions are now doing the rounds. One says Rohit is in no mood to quit and wants to fight on. The other says he is unhappy with how the selectors and coach have handled it, and may eventually step aside — telling himself he is not blocking a youngster's path.
The numbers behind the decision
There is some cricketing logic to the selectors' thinking, and the stats show why.
Rohit's recent form is the main reason. Across his last eight ODI innings, he has managed just 241 runs at an average of 30.12 and a strike rate of 88.60, with only one fifty — and in this England series he has made only 11 and 26 so far. In contrast, Yashasvi Jaiswal has scored almost as many — 230 runs — in just three innings.
With Gill and Jaiswal now the preferred openers, the big question is whether there is still room for Rohit as a third-choice opener, or whether this is simply the end of the road in the format.
Also Read- Could Lord's Be Rohit Sharma's Last Match for India?
BCCI unhappy about the leak
Interestingly, the BCCI is said to be unhappy that news of these private talks got out. The board has reportedly told the selectors not to speak to the media about the matter at all.
Of course, until Rohit or the BCCI says something officially, all of this remains speculation. But the noise is growing — and it points to a sad, unwanted ending for a batter who was also stripped of the ODI captaincy after leading India to the Champions Trophy title.
Whatever happens at Lord's on Sunday, one of India's greatest white-ball openers deserves a better goodbye than this.
Stay with CricInnings for every update on Rohit Sharma's future.
Comments (0)