‘His retirement will be decided’: Mohammad Kaif makes bold statement on Rohit Sharma’s future after Lord’s heroics

Rohit Sharma (BCCI Photo) Former India cricketer and commentator Mohammad Kaif has thrown his weight behind Rohit Sharma amid growing speculation about his international future, insisting that retirement is a personal decision and should not be dictated by public opinion.Rohit recently silenced critics in emphatic fashion by smashing a historic century at Lord’s during the 3rd ODI against England. His knock of 138 off 110 balls made him the first Indian batsman to score an ODI century at the iconic venue and came as rumors intensified that the Lord’s match could be his last international appearance before the 2027 ODI World Cup. These retirement rumors were earlier dismissed by the BCCI and Rohit himself responded in the best possible way, with the bat.Reacting to the debate surrounding the Indian captaincy, Kaif said that Rohit continues to perform despite immense external pressure and deserves the freedom to decide when to call time on his career.“Rohit Sharma himself will decide Rohit Sharma’s retirement. He has the right to do so. He has worked so hard for India. He has the right to retire of his own free will. 12,000 runs, 34 centuries – till he was captain, he never let India lose. Even today, no one has been able to beat India in white-ball cricket under his captaincy. What a captain he was under constant pressure. ‘Rohit Sharma, it’s time to retire.'” Under all that pressure made him the top scorer at Lord’s. No other Indian batsman scored a century there in that match, it came off Rohit’s bat,” Kaif said in a video posted on his X account.

Kaif urged the BCCI to support him

Kaif further suggested that public support from the Indian team management and the BCCI could further motivate the veteran ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.“Imagine Shubman Gill as captain publicly saying, ‘Rohit bhai, I need you for the 2027 World Cup’. Or if the BCCI makes it clear that Rohit will play for India as long as he wants and no one should question him. That kind of support would make a huge difference,” he added. The former India batsman believes that Rohit thrives on the responsibility and trust from those around him.“He is under pressure right now because everyone expects him to fail. But knowing that his captain, coach and BCCI are firmly behind him, he will even climb the Himalayas for India. I hope people will stop the unnecessary noise and allow Rohit Sharma to play in peace,” concluded Kaif.

England beat India to clinch the ODI series

India suffered a 27-run defeat to England in the third and final ODI, losing the three-match series 2-1, despite fighting back centuries and half-centuries from their top order. Chasing a daunting 388-run target, captain Rohit Sharma led from the front with a magnificent century while Shubman Gill chipped in with 77 and Virat Kohli added a fluent 74.However, the massive target proved too steep as India’s middle and lower order failed to sustain the momentum.