Will Rohit Sharma retire? Lord’s ODI could be his last match for India
The third ODI between India and England at Lord’s on Sunday could spell the end of Rohit Sharma’s international career, with the national selection committee unlikely to back the veteran opener after the ongoing UK series, according to a PTI report.
The former India captain endured a lean run in the 50-over format. In his last eight ODIs, the 39-year-old has scored 241 runs at an average of 30.1 and a strike rate of 88.6, with just one half-century.
According to the report, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, who is touring with the Indian team in England, is in line with the long-term plans of the team management, with Rohit no longer part of the plan leading up to the 2027 ODI World Cup.
“The national selectors are keen to give Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has scored two hundreds in three innings, a longer rope. There are about 20 matches and Jaiswal needs to give those 20 matches.”
“Nobody can tell Rohit to go, but clearly, when it comes to the home series against West Indies in September, the selectors would like to look forward. Rohit’s future is a decision they have to make,” a senior BCCI source privy to selection matters told PTI on condition of anonymity.
It is understood the selectors are keen to give Yashasvi Jaiswal an extended run at the top of the order as they believe the left-hander needs consistent opportunities ahead of the big tasks next year. Continuing with Rohit beyond England would greatly reduce Jaiswal’s chances of gaining valuable ODI experience.
It is also learned that head coach Gautam Gambhir and Agarkar are on the same page when it comes to senior players. While Virat Kohli remains an automatic selection due to his form and fitness, there is no clarity on Rohit’s future.
The uncertainty comes just months after Rohit retired from Test cricket. His exit from the longest format was accompanied by differing opinions on the circumstances surrounding the decision. This was claimed by sources close to the selection committee they didn’t want Rohit to decide his future after playing only two of England’s five Tests, while those close to him insisted he made himself available for the entire series and never intended to appear in just two matches.
If Sunday turns out to be Rohit’s last appearance in India colours, it would bring down the curtain on one of the country’s most decorated white-ball careers. The opener led India to the 2024 T20 World Cup title and the 2025 Champions Trophy, cementing his legacy as one of the format’s most successful captains. However, the final challenge now seems to lie with Rohit himself.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
16 Jul 2026 22:42 IST