Former India captain Rohit Sharma will be in the spotlight when India face England in the series-deciding third ODI at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Sunday, July 19. The experienced opening batsman is at the center of retirement speculation, with reports claiming that this match could be his final appearance in ODI cricket.
Notably, this series is an important step in India’s preparations for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in Africa. The three-match series is tied at 1-1. After the third and final ODI, the team management will also get a chance to assess the future of the former Indian captain before the next World Cup.
Rohit Sharma’s wife Ritika Sajdeh reached Lord’s before the third ODI.
A viral social media video shows Rohit Sharma’s wife Ritika Sajdeh arriving at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London ahead of the third ODI against England. Ritika’s presence at the venue has further increased retirement speculations among fans.
Many believe that family members often attend historic matches, leading to fresh discussions over whether this could be Rohit’s final ODI appearance. Only Rohit and those close to him know what is going to happen next.
Rohit Sharma’s wife reached Lord’s for the third T-20 match #RohitSharma #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/OlYd1bjuZR
— Ankan Kar (@AnkanKar) July 19, 2026
Meanwhile, recently Dinesh Karthik has broken his silence on the rumors of Rohit’s retirement. Karthik reacted to the rumors of Rohit’s retirement by saying that ‘not all fairy tales have a happy ending.’
Rohit Sharma not at his best in 2026
Rohit Sharma has not been able to perform at his best in 2026. He has scored only one half-century this year. This batsman also had an average IPL season, due to which questions were raised about his future. At 39, Rohit will turn 40 by the time India plays the 2027 ODI World Cup in Africa.
However, Rohit is one of India’s greatest ODI batsmen. Due to his record and performances in ICC tournaments, many consider him to be the country’s best ODI opener. He was also in great form in 2025 and speculations about his retirement have taken many fans by surprise.
During the second ODI against England, Rohit scored 26 runs in 47 balls. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee had informed him that he was no longer part of India’s plans. The Indian Express report also claimed that Rohit later met BCCI officials and left the final decision to them.
Selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir were discussing Rohit’s future after IPL 2026. They reportedly want to use the remaining ODIs before the 2027 World Cup to test young players like Yashasvi Jaiswal.
BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia dismisses rumors of Rohit Sharma’s retirement
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) issued an official clarification. BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia dismissed reports that the selectors had decided to end Sharma’s ODI career after the third ODI against England at Lord’s.
“There has been a lot of speculation in the media regarding the future of Rohit Sharma. I want to strongly say that there has been no discussion that Rohit will play 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 plan. In other words, Lord’s ODI will not be his last match.”