The IND vs ENG ODI series is set for a tantalizing decider. India won the 1st ODI in Birmingham before England shot back with victory in Cardiff in the 2nd ODI to level the series and push it into a decider, which will be played on Sunday at the storied venue that is the Lord’s cricket ground.
A lot – and seriously a lot – has transpired in Indian cricket since the beginning of the 2nd ODI on July 16 and midnight of July 17. So much that the focus of the Indian fans and pundits during this period shifted completely from the loss in Cardiff to a potential retirement of Rohit Sharma, the legendary Indian opener and former captain.
Retired from T20Is and Tests, Rohit Sharma- and Virat Kohli – plays only the ODI format at the international level. Having missed out on the World Cup trophy in the final in 2023 at home, Rohit has expressed his desire to attempt another go at the coveted trophy in 2027, when the World Cup will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
However, there have been challenges in front of Rohit Sharmasince last year. Despite leading India to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 glory, Rohit was replaced by the BCCI selectors with Shubman Gill as the captain.
The move was understandable: Rohit will be 40 by the time the 2027 World Cup comes around, and his fitness has been uncertain, while Gill is young, leading the Test team, and is more likely to feature in the tournament next year than Rohit, who, while playing only one format for India, could lose his form anytime.
While Rohit Sharmadid have a half-decent IPL and struck 79 last month against Afghanistan, he has found it an immense challenge to get going in the two ODIs in England in this series. He never settled into a rhythm and played scratchy knocks with scores of 11 (21) and 26 (47).
First report comes out of selectors not having Rohit Sharma in plans for after the IND vs ENG ODI series
It was during the 2nd ODI against England that a report in The Indian Express was published about Rohit, and it caused a stir among the fans.
The report claimed that the selectors have informed Rohit Sharma that they have decided to “move on” from him after the England series, that he isn’t in their scheme of things for the 2027 World Cup, and that they want to give chances to Yashasvi Jaiswal and other youngsters in the opening role. But Rohit “wasn’t happy with the decision” by the selectors.
It was stated that head coach Gautam Gambhir is also in the know of developments between Sharma and the selection committee.
“The selectors have informed Rohit that he does not figure in their scheme of things after the England tour and they are moving on from him after this series. He wanted to continue, especially after working on his fitness. The selectors have left the ball in Sharma’s court,” a source was quoted by The Indian Express.
Social media catches wildfire
This report was taken with a lot of seriousness since it was published by veteran journalist Devendra Pandey of The Indian Express.
Netizens on social media and off it caught this news and spread it like wildfire, with even experts, including former off-spinner R Ashwin, speaking on this topic.
Many fans even wrote tribute tweets and articles as they prepared themselves for Rohit’s apparently impending departure from international cricket.
More reports, more rumors, and more frenzy
After the first report, more reports and “inside” news stories began breaking out. A Times of India report in the morning of July 17 suggested that the selectors wanted to play Jaiswal in all three ODIs in England but opted to give Rohit Sharmaone more series. The news article further claimed that Rohit was given the option to rest in the 3rd ODI against Afghanistan last month but declined before blasting 79 runs off 69 deliveries.
Matters surrounding a probable retirement of Rohit accentuated when a report in Crex said that Rohit’s parents “have already reached London” to witness their son playing his last ODI match at Lord’s. Although this news is not confirmed yet by any strong outlet.
R Ashwin disagrees with BCCI’s methods
Ashwin, who is very active on Twitter and YouTube these days after retirement, spoke on this rumor. Ashwin opined that he would want the experience of Rohit Sharma in the 2027 World Cup.
On the rumors of the BCCI deciding to drop Rohit, Ashwin reckoned if the board wanted to move on from Rohit, they should have done it after the 2025 Champions Trophy and not only a year away from the World Cup.
“My problem is with the Indian team itself. We are going to South Africa in September-October, do we need Rohit and Virat? If you ask me, I will want that experience. I know Yashasvi Jaiswal is pushing hard from behind. But as a decision maker, if you ever felt in your mind that these two players are not fit for the 2027 ODI World Cup, that could have been communicated at the end of the ICC Champions Trophy,” Ashwin said.
Finally, BCCI secretary quashes rumors and reports
Finally, on the night of July 17, the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia finally put water on the rumor-milled wildfire, dismissing all rumors about Rohit’s retirement and reports about conversations between the board and the former skipper.
“There are lot of speculations going on in media about Rohit Sharma’s future. I want to firmly assert that there has been no such discussion that Rohit will be playing his last match at Lord’s on Sunday. 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. In other words, Lord’s ODI wont be his last match,” Saikia told news agency PTI.
Saikia may have calmed the nerves of everyone for now, but if Rohit fails to put up a notable performance in the Lord’s ODI, pressure will mount on the senior opener.
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