Table of Contents
Former Mumbai Indians (MI) cricketer Tirumalasetti Suman, commonly known as T Suman, is baffled to hear that Rohit Sharma could announce his retirement from international cricket after the conclusion of the India vs England ODI series on Sunday at Lord’s, London.
Throughout the years, Rohit Sharma has remained one of the key players in the India National Cricket Team in the format, and was considered one of the leading contenders to represent the nation in the upcoming ODI World Cup in 2027.
Tirumalasetti Suman in shock as Rohit Sharma could take retirement after the India vs England match on Sunday
Suman could not digest the fact that after the ODI captain Shubman Gill’s assurance, Rohit had to think about his retirement.
In the recent past, Gill mentioned that both Virat Kohli and Rohit are an integral part of the ODI team ahead of the 2027 World Cup, which came as a hint of assurance over both of the experienced batters' future with the Indian cricket team.
“This came as a shocker. Just before this series, Shubman Gill, the captain, came out and said that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are an integral part of the ODI squad. Gill himself said that they are important players before the World Cup. But suddenly this news came out. The selectors have told Rohit that he will not be part of the plan for the 2027 World Cup," T Suman said in a video on his YouTube channel.
Tirumalasetti Suman explains why selectors might have thought beyond Rohit Sharma
From a selector's perspective, the former Mumbai Indians cricketer might have the same thought of dropping Rohit Sharma from the team, as there are multiple young openers, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, who are waiting for their turn to represent the team in the format.
"The selectors may have thought that the World Cup is in South Africa and there is one year, so let's give youngsters a chance, as there is still time, and that's why they told Rohit that there are players like Jaiswal who are in form and should play international cricket."
Tirumalasetti Suman highlights Rohit Sharma's contributions to Indian cricket
However, Suman has contrasting thoughts because of the former India captain’s achievements with the national cricket team. Suman points out that the Mumbaikar succeeded under different conditions, whether the matches were in Australia or South Africa, where the ball travelled faster with extra bounce, and Rohit Sharma scored tons of runs.
He also points out that even after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup and the Champions Trophy in ODI format, the opener put his focus on fitness as he wanted to become a part of the 2027 ODI World Cup as a player.
“Let's look at Rohit's performance. He won the T20 World Cup as a leader and a batter. After that, he won the Champions Trophy in the same ODI format and stepped down as captain. Okay. After that, he did not sulk. He built on his physique. Why? Because of the ODI World Cup being one unfulfilled dream,” Suman added.
“After the Champions Trophy, on bouncy pitches in Australia, he got the 'Player of the Series'. Next, two fifty-plus scores in the South Africa series. New Zealand series, he could not capitalise on starts, but again he scored in the Afghanistan series. Only two bad scores in the England series, that too on spongy wickets," he further expressed.
