India’s cricket management has dismissed speculation that veteran opener Rohit Sharma’s international one-day career is coming to an end, ahead of the team’s third ODI against England at Lord’s on Sunday.
The 39-year-old batsman, who scored 26 runs off 47 balls in India’s loss in the second ODI at Cardiff on Thursday, has endured a prolonged form slump, failing to score a century in his last 11 one-day internationals. This downturn in performance has sparked debate about his place in the squad ahead of the 2027 Cricket World Cup, to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia firmly denied reports suggesting that Sunday’s match could be Rohit’s last. Speaking to the press, Saikia emphasized that no decisions have been made about Rohit’s retirement or exclusion from the team. “Rohit is a regular member of the Indian ODI team and he will continue to represent the country as long as he is in the scheme of things,” Saikia stated.
Contrasting media reports that indicated selectors may be looking to “move on” from the former India captain, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak expressed confidence in Rohit’s ability to bounce back. Kotak attributed Rohit’s recent struggles to the natural ebb and flow of form, highlighting the challenge of finding rhythm in the current series. “Yes, he didn’t get runs, but I don’t think that makes any difference,” Kotak said after the loss in Cardiff. He added that Rohit “probably didn’t get balls in his areas” during the innings and expected a different outcome at Lord’s.
Rohit Sharma remains a distinguished figure in Indian white-ball cricket, notably holding the record for the highest individual score in an ODI—an unbeaten 264 against Sri Lanka—and being the only player to have scored three double centuries in the format. Although he has retired from Test and T20 International cricket, he continues to feature prominently in India’s ODI line-up.
India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel also voiced his support for Rohit, emphasizing the difficulties faced by openers given the swinging conditions and movement of the new ball in England. “Batting up front is not easy," Morkel said during a pre-match press conference. "Rohit will work it out. He is experienced and brings calmness to the batting line-up. There are no worries or concerns about how he is going about things.”
As India prepares for the decisive third ODI at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, the team management’s united front suggests Rohit Sharma remains a vital component of their ongoing plans despite recent challenges.