Reports suggest that the rumours surrounding Rohit Sharma’s ODI retirement could soon become a reality. According to The Indian Express, India’s ODI against England at Lord’s on July 19 could be Rohit’s final international appearance.
The report also claims that the decision may not have come from Rohit himself, but rather from the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee, which is believed to be looking ahead and planning for the future beyond the 39-year-old veteran. The report further states that the selection panel have spoken to Rohit, as well as Yashasvi Jaiswal regarding their decision last week, before bringing their plan in effect.
Rohit Sharma likely to retire after India vs England Lord’s ODI
The panel also wants to give more chances to Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has been waiting for his chance for a long time now, despite performing well in the limited opportunities, he has gotten. With the World Cup 2027 just a year away, perhaps that could be the right call, given Rohit Sharma’s struggles also.
“Selectors have informed Rohit he is not in their scheme of things post the England tour and they are moving on from him after this series. Though he wanted to continue, especially after working on his fitness. The selectors have left the ball in Sharma’s court to decide his future,” a source from BCCI said.
The report further claimed that Rohit discussed the decision with the BCCI and was not pleased that the ongoing England ODI series could mark the end of his international career. Having already retired from T20Is and Test cricket, ODIs remain the only format in which the former India captain is still playing.
In fact, since his stepping away from the Tests, it seems, the selection panel has been in constant discussions with the management, about Rohit’s future. In the ongoing India vs England series too, Rohit has looked out of sorts, scoring 11 in the first match, and then 26 in the Thursday encounter. If the move does come true, it will be end of an era in Indian cricket; under his leadership Team India won the 2025 Champions Trophy, and were in the final of the 2023 World Cup.