There is speculation about the future of experienced Indian batsman Rohit Sharma ahead of the third and final ODI against England at Lord’s on Sunday, July 19. The former captain has been told that he is no longer in India’s long-term plans, but the BCCI has said that no retirement or exit plans have been finalized.
The hosts won by four wickets in the second ODI at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Thursday, 16 July. Rohit, who has been in poor form in the series, could score just 11 and 26 in the first two matches. Young opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal is likely to get an extended chance ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Devjit Saikia refutes speculations about Rohit Sharma’s retirement
BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia clarified the cricket board’s stance regarding the future of the legendary opening batsman. Saikia said that Rohit Sharma will continue to represent the country as long as he is in the plan.
Saikia said, “There is a lot of speculation in the media about Rohit Sharma’s future. 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.”
According to The Indian Express, the team management and selection panel had already informed the experienced batsman about their plans. The focus of the selectors is on backing Jaiswal for the World Cup in South Africa.
Rohit was stripped of ODI captaincy last year. He is the fourth-highest run-scorer in World Cup history with 1,575 runs and seven centuries. However, his current form has sparked debate over his place in the team.
BCCI’s Rohit Sharma ‘no retirement’ stance may change
Leading PTI journalist Kushan Sarkar, who interviewed Devjit Saikia, said that Rohit Sharma may not be a part of the team for the upcoming ODI series in September. The government said that BCCI’s stance may change before the selection for the series.
“But let me say this. I may have broken the story through PTI, but I also want to point out that the squad for the first ODI on September 27 will probably be selected around September 10 or 12. Before September 10 or 12, how can today’s statement be final? We all should remain calm. We may see something different on September 12.”
“I had reported that VVS Laxman was approached. Even today, I believe that that report was correct. VVS Laxman was approached for a red-ball role after the 2-0, but he did not agree.”
According to Kushan Sarkar, who interviewed Devjit Saikia for PTI regarding Rohit Sharma’s retirement.
“This statement may change by the time the next ODI series comes.”#RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/QJCIt79uzR
– Indian Cricket (@navshar54008403) July 17, 2026
Abhishek Tripathi says selection talks are different from BCCI’s statements
Dainik Jagran journalist Abhishek Tripathi also shared similar opinion regarding the board’s statements. Tripathi said the board’s public statements rarely reflect the actual discussions taking place in the selection committee meetings.
“Nothing has changed. What will the BCCI say? When I wrote another report earlier, Arun Singh Dhumal came out and clearly said, ‘No, no, nothing like that is happening. He is our hero.’
According to PTI journalist Kushan Sarkar and Dainik Jagran’s Abhishek Tripathi, how BCCI officials fool the public.
“Some time ago, Abhishek Tripathi had published a report but BCCI official Arun Singh Dhumal had denied it, but it turned out to be true.”
“The Kushan government was… pic.twitter.com/EKzzUJdheu
– Indian Cricket (@navshar54008403) July 18, 2026
Rohit has struggled in ODIs this year, scoring 241 runs in 8 matches at an average of 30.13 and strike rate of 88.60, which also includes a half-century. He will be eager to make a comeback in the upcoming match at Lord’s.