There have been speculations surrounding the future of veteran Indian batter Rohit Sharma ahead of the third and final ODI against England at Lord's on Sunday, July 19. The former captain has been told he is no longer in India's long-term plans, but the BCCI has said that no retirement or exit plans have been finalized.
The hosts secured a four-wicket victory in the second ODI at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Thursday, July 16. Rohit, who has been in poor form in the series, managed scores of just 11 and 26 in the first two matches. Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal is likely to get an extended run ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Devajit Saikia Denies Rohit Sharma Retirement Speculations
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia clarified the cricket board's stance regarding the legendary opener's future. Saikia stated that Rohit Sharma will continue to represent the country as long as he is in the scheme of things.
"There are lot of speculations going on in 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. 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, Lord's ODI wont be his last match," Saikia said.
According to The Indian Express, the team management and selection panel had already informed the veteran batter about their plans. The selectors are focused on backing Jaiswal for the World Cup in South Africa.
Rohit was stripped of the ODI captaincy last year. He is the fourth-leading run-scorer in World Cup history with 1,575 runs and seven centuries. However, his current form has triggered debates about his spot in the squad.
BCCI's Rohit Sharma 'No Retirement' Stance May Change
Prominent PTI journalist Kushan Sarkar, who interviewed Devajit Saikia, said that Rohit Sharma might not be part of the squad for the upcoming ODI series in September. Sarkar stated that the BCCI's stance may change before the selection for the series.
"But let me say this. I may have broken the story through PTI, but I also want to point out that the squad for the first ODI on September 27 will probably be selected around September 10 or 12. Before September 10 or 12, how can today's statement become final? We should all stay calm. We might see something different on September 12."
"I had reported that VVS Laxman had been approached. Even today, I believe that report was correct. VVS Laxman was approached after the 2-0 for the red-ball role, but he did not agree."
According to Kushan Sarkar, who interviewed Devajit Saikia for PTI regarding Rohit Sharma retirement.
— Indian Cricket 🏏 (@navshar54008403) July 17, 2026
"This statement could change by the time the next ODI series arrives."#RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/QJCIt79uzR
Abhishek Tripathi Says Selection Talks Differ from BCCI Statements
Dainik Jagran journalist Abhishek Tripathi shared a similar view regarding the board's statements. Tripathi said that public statements from the board rarely reflect the actual discussions happening within selection committee meetings.
"Nothing has changed. What will the BCCI say? When I had written another report earlier, Arun Singh Dhumal came out and clearly said, 'No, no, nothing like that is happening. He is our hero.'"
According to Kushan Sarkar , PTI Journalist and Abhishek Tripathi, Dainik Jagran here is how BCCI officials fool public.
— Indian Cricket 🏏 (@navshar54008403) July 18, 2026
"Some time ago, Abhishek Tripathi published a report but BCCI official's Arun Singh Dhumal had denied, but it turned out to be true."
"Kushan Sarkar was the… pic.twitter.com/EKzzUJdheu
Rohit has struggled in ODIs this year, scoring 241 runs in 8 matches at an average of 30.13 and a strike rate of 88.60, including one half-century. He will be keen to bounce back in the upcoming match at Lord's.
