BCCI Dismisses Rohit Sharma ODI Retirement Speculation

Speculations of Rohit Sharma’s retirement started following reports in Indian Express claiming the Indian team management has no plans for the veteran opener in the lead-up to the ODI World Cup 2027 and has preferred giving Yashasvi Jaiswal a long run.

Devajit Saikia Confirms Rohit's ODI Future

Speaking to PTI, Saikia, without naming any publication, categorically brushed aside rumours that the veteran batter will bid adieu to ODIs in the series decider against England in Lords on Sunday.

"There are a lot of speculations going on in the media about Rohit Sharma's future. I want to firmly assert that there has been no such discussion that Rohit will be playing his last match at Lord's on Sunday," Saikia said.

"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 scheme of things. In other words, the Lord's ODI won't be his last match," he added.

This confirmation comes after uncertainties hovered around the future of the veteran opening batter, whose future in ODIs after the ongoing England series was questioned with rumours about the selectors not picking him in the buildup to the 2027 World Cup.

Ashwin Questions Team Management's Communication

Just a day after reports came out about India’s move away from Rohit, former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin lambasted the Indian team management for not informing the veteran opener in clarity. Ashwin added if the team management had to part ways with Rohit, it should have informed him after the 2025 Champions Trophy instead of midway into 2026 when he started putting in effort for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

The spinner also hinted that his own retirement from the game was also a result of poor communication by the Indian team management.

Kotak Backs Rohit Despite Poor Form

Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak acknowledged that Rohit hasn’t scored runs in some of the matches, but added that he’s too good a player to be put under the spotlight on his future after India's loss to England in the second ODI.

"See, I don't think a big player like Rohit Sharma can have any sort of pressure. He's too good a player to feel that. Yes, he didn't get runs in the opening two matches, but I don't think that makes any difference. But today, it also looked like he'd probably get a good innings going. But that's okay," Kotak said.

As per reports from Cricinfo, Rohit has not given any indication regarding his retirement to the BCCI, the selectors or the Indian team management. His retirement has been one of the hot topics in the recent days, largely due to his dismal form, however there has been no statement from any of the stakeholders involved.