Rohit Sharma is likely to be dropped from the ODI team and may even retire after the third and final ODI against England at the prestigious Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on Sunday. Former India head coach Lalchand Rajput has shared his views on the speculations about Rohit Sharma’s retirement.
There is a lot of talk and rumors about his retirement decision and whether he will remain in the ODI team after this series or not. Amidst all this, Lalchand Rajput said that he does not believe in rumors until they become true.
“He showed glimpses” – Lalchand Rajput backs Rohit Sharma to score runs in 3rd ODI
Speaking to PTI, Rajput said that Rohit Sharma has worked hard to get his fitness back and he looks quite fit and lean. Also, the way he batted in the last game against England, which had some scenes of the old Rohit scoring big runs, he is just an innings away from finding his rhythm.
“I don’t believe in speculations. Until that happens, only then can we talk about it. I still think he is good enough to play for a few years. He is fit and has worked hard on his fitness. If you look at him now, he looks lean. The way he batted in the last game, he had a bit of a hitman in him.”
Video | Former India team manager Lalchand Rajput believes that despite the ongoing speculation about his ODI future, there is still a lot of cricket left in Rohit Sharma and he is capable of playing for a few more years.
“I don’t believe in speculation. Until it happens, only then can we talk about it.” pic.twitter.com/5jJEnerARh
– Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 18, 2026
“And I think it’s just a good innings away. Like Virat batted brilliantly in the last game. And I’m sure Rohit will be there to regain that lost ground. Because he has to play the last ODI at Lord’s again. And I’m sure he will make up for it.”
Lalchand Rajput shares his first experience about young Rohit Sharma
Lalchand Rajput also shed light on the young Rohit Sharma, whom he watched during the T20 World Cup 2007 when he made his debut while Rohit was the team manager of the India national cricket team. He said that Rohit had more time to play the ball and he never tried to hit the ball hard.
“When I first saw him at the National Cricket Academy, I felt he was a batsman who had a lot of time. Even now, when he is batting well, you feel he has a lot of time to play his shots.”
“He doesn’t hit the ball very hard but the ball still spins, the way he batted against South Africa, he never looked like a player playing his first World Cup. He played like a mature cricketer,” Rajput said.
“Nobody knew Rohit then”- Lalchand Rajput on Rohit Sharma’s debut innings
Lalchand Rajput talked about the first innings against South Africa where Rohit scored 50 and announced himself to the world. The former head coach described this innings as one of the best since he played fast bowlers on South African pitches
He said, “Yes, as you said, you are right. Because then nobody knew Rohit. That was the innings which brought him to the international circuit. And the best thing, as I said, was the way he played those fast bowlers, you know. He was very. And backfoot shots, cuts, pull shots.”
