Former India captain Rohit Sharma may play his last international match during the upcoming third ODI against England at Lord’s on Sunday, July 19. There is speculation about his future in the format after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) started planning for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
In the second ODI, the Men in Blue suffered a big blow and the team was reduced to 233 runs from 178/3. The Harry Brook-led England team comfortably chased down the target with six overs to spare, winning by four wickets. To win the series, the visiting team will now have to win the third and final ODI at Lord’s.
Rohit Sharma is unhappy with BCCI’s decision to pull him out of ODIs
As per reports in The Indian Express, PTI and IANS, Rohit Sharma met BCCI officials and head coach Gautam Gambhir last week to discuss his future. The former captain was reportedly unhappy with the selection panel’s decision to drop him after the ongoing series in England.
Selection committee focusing on young opening batsmen ahead of 2027 World Cup In Africa, when Rohit will be above 40 years of age. A senior BCCI official confirmed to IANS that the final decision on formal retirement is up to Rohit, but the selectors will not pick him for future series.
A BCCI source told IANS on Thursday, “The selectors have decided that from now on they will not select Rohit Sharma in ODIs. If he wants to opt out out of politeness or does not want to cancel it immediately, that is entirely his personal decision. However, the message is clear: the selectors will not pick him for ODIs after the game at Lord’s on Sunday.”
Yashasvi Jaiswal will replace struggling Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma is struggling with the bat in 2026. The 39-year-old has scored only one half-century in eight ODI innings this calendar year. He recorded scores of 11 and 26 in the ongoing series, while struggling to find his boundary-hitting flow at the top of the order.
Young batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal is waiting for his chance. The left-handed batsman has scored two centuries in his last three ODI matches. The selection committee wants to give him a chance in the 50-over format with captain Shubman Gill.
Rohit has already retired from Test cricket in May 2025 and T20Is after India’s World Cup victory in 2024. His limited participation in competitive matches has affected his match rhythm. The upcoming decider at Lord’s will provide one final opportunity for the great opening batsman to sign at a high level.
Sitanshu Kotak denies pressure of Rohit Sharma’s possible departure ahead of ODI
Speaking during the post-match press conference in Cardiff, Team India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak refuted claims that Rohit Sharma is being pressured by the management or selectors to announce his retirement from international cricket.
Rohit has scored 11,757 runs in 287 matches at an average of 48.58 and strike rate of 92.77. He has scored 33 centuries and 62 half-centuries with a best score of 264 against Sri Lanka.
The right-handed batsman led India in 56 ODIs, guided the national team to remain unbeaten in the 2023 World Cup final and led them to the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy title in the UAE. Amidst doubts over Rohit’s future, all eyes will be on the third ODI.
