Rohit Sharma has once again proved why he is one of India’s biggest match-winners. The former Indian captain put all retirement rumors to rest with a brilliant century in the third and final ODI against England at Lord’s after facing criticism for his poor performances recently.
After Rohit’s memorable innings, the Hitman’s childhood coach Dinesh Lad shared the real reason why the Indian opener has not announced his retirement from international cricket. Lad revealed that Rohit has a big dream left in his career and that is why the thought of retirement is not in his mind.
Rohit Sharma’s Lord’s masterclass proves he’s not finished yet, says Dinesh Lad
Ahead of the third and final ODI at Lord’s, there was widespread speculation that Rohit Sharma might retire from international cricket after the England series. But Rohit answered everyone with his bat. Hitman played a brilliant inning of 138 runs in 110 balls with the help of 17 fours and five sixes. Meanwhile, the former Indian star was left fuming over KL Rahul’s batting collapse: “Absolute waste”.
It was one of the best innings of his ODI career and reminded everyone that he is still capable of winning matches for India, especially under pressure. After the match, Dinesh Lad revealed that he had spoken to Rohit just two days before the last ODI at Lord’s.
The coach told Rohit that he wants to see him play in the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup and is confident that he will still be a part of the India national cricket team. Lad further said that Rohit’s century showed what kind of player he is. He praised the way Rohit handled the pressure, built his innings patiently and used his experience to help India chase the target.
Dinesh Lad supports Rohit despite all the criticism
Rohit’s childhood coach also shared that he never believed the recent retirement rumours. Praising his century at Lord’s, Lad said that the way he constructed his pace and innings showed his experience, temperament and class. The coach believes that Rohit has once again established himself as a “strong contender to represent India in the 2027 ODI World Cup”.
“Two days ago, I spoke to him. I told him that I wanted to see him play in the 2027 ODI World Cup, and I was confident that he would be there. Today, he showed everyone what he is capable of. There has been a lot of criticism that Rohit Sharma should retire – that he has done enough and his time is up,” Dinesh Lad was quoted as saying by PTI.
I never agreed with that criticism. I always had faith in his ability and today he answered all his critics with his performance. Critics will always criticize, but such things have no effect on him. His focus remains on his cricket and contribution to the team.
Childhood coach told, why did Rohit Sharma not retire?
The childhood coach also shared the biggest reason why Rohit Sharma wants to continue playing ODI cricket. He said that Rohit Sharma still remembers the disappointment of being left out of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning team. He has also not forgotten the pain of losing to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad.
As Rohit’s biggest dream is still to win the ODI World Cup for India, Lad said that he still has the hunger, class and ability to lead India on the biggest stage and he wants to be a part of the 2017 event. He even said that Rohit has already won the T20 World Cup and the Champions Trophy, but he will not leave the game until he wins the ODI World Cup.
Lad said, “One thing that has always stayed with him is the disappointment of not getting a place in the 2011 ODI World Cup squad and the sadness of India falling short in the 2023 ODI World Cup final. Since then, his biggest dream is to win the 50-over World Cup for India. If India wants to win the ODI World Cup next year, it is important for Rohit to be in the team.”
