BCCI orders Rohit Sharma to retire in Australia series; Gautam Gambhir unhappy with India captain

The BCCI and the Indian selectors have started shaping India’s roadmap for the ICC World Cup 2027, and big changes are expected in the next couple of months. Rohit Sharma, India’s iconic opener and ODI captain, is not in the plans for the ICC World Cup 2027.

As reported by a News24 Sports journalist, Vaibhav Bhola, the BCCI and the Indian cricket team management told the 38-year-old to make a respectful exit and leave the game with dignity after a glorious career, including the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and ICC Champions Trophy 2025 triumphs.

Rohit Sharma not in India's ICC World Cup 2027 plans, farewell series planned

They have given the Hitman only the choice to announce his retirement before the upcoming Australia tour to save the respect he earned throughout his career, or face axing from the Indian cricket team. If Rohit continues without announcing retirement, he will play only as a player under a new captain.

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The journalist is quoted as saying by the BCCI sources, “Rohit Sharma will not play in the 2027 ODI World Cup. Rohit Sharma's exit plan is ready. The management has given a clear message to Rohit Sharma: We respect you. We won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 under your captaincy, but you are not a part of the 2027 ODI World Cup.

You will have to announce your retirement before the Australia ODIs. After that, you will be the India captain for the ODI series and it will be our responsibility to give you a grand series in Australia. This series should be your last one.”

BCCI gives Rohit Sharma a chance to exit with dignity, as his dropping is confirmed

But if Rohit Sharma does not announce his retirement before the Australia tour, they “will drop” him. BCCI wants the 38-year-old opener to leave the game with “full respect and dignity,” but it totally depends on the current skipper. BCCI will give Rohit the full opportunity to save his reputation.

However, if Rohit Sharma doesn't announce his retirement from international cricket, then there will be a new captain in ODI cricket for the Australia tour. And Rohit will have to play only as a player in the Indian cricket team, as reported by the journalist.

India will travel to Australia with a new ODI captain, and Rohit will have to play under him as a player. So, the captain can’t be dropped, but it will be easy for the selectors to sideline a player, and that’s going to happen with Rohit.

Read Also: Virat Kohli locked in for 2027 ODI World Cup, receives Gautam Gambhir’s backing

Farewell series on the cards for Rohit Sharma as Shubman Gill set to lead India's ODI team

Shubman Gill is set to take charge at the top of the order, while young star Yashasvi Jaiswal is being groomed to be India’s next opener for the ICC World Cup 2027. If Rohit moves with Gill, then Yashasvi Jaiswal may have to wait for his chance on the Australia tour.

In such a situation, Rohit will play as a player, and if he fails, he will be dropped from the team, and for such a big player, dropping from the team will be such a big insult. Now, BCCI has left everything to Rohit as he is not part of their planning for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

He said, “The Australia tour will be the last tour of Rohit’s international career. If he wants to go with respect, then a farewell series will be organized by the BCCI for him.” Also, it has been reported that the Gautam Gambhir-led team management is not happy with Rohit.