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Rohit Sharma is likely to be dropped from the ODI squad and also to retire after the third and final ODI against England on Sunday at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, London. Former India head coach Lalchand Rajput has shared his views on Rohit Sharma’s retirement speculation.
There are a lot of talks and rumours about his retirement decisions and whether he will continue in the ODI squad after this series or not. Amidst all this, Lalchand Rajput stated that he does not believe in rumours until they turn out to be true.
"He showed glimpses"- Lalchand Rajput backs Rohit Sharma to score runs in 3rd ODI
While speaking to PTI, Rajput stated that Rohit Sharma has worked hard to get back to his fitness, and he looks a lot fitter and leaner. Also, the way he batted in the last game against England, which had some visuals of old Rohit who used to score big runs, he is just one innings away from finding his rhythm.
"I don't believe in speculation. Unless it happens, then only we can talk on that. I still feel he is good enough to play for a couple of years. He is fit and has worked hard on his fitness. If you look at him now, he looks leaner. The way he batted in the last game, he showed glimpses of the Hitman."
VIDEO | Former India team manager Lalchand Rajput believes Rohit Sharma still has enough cricket left in him and is capable of playing for a few more years despite speculation over his ODI future.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 18, 2026
"I don't believe in speculation. Unless it happens, then only we can talk on that.… pic.twitter.com/5jJEnerARh
"And I think it's just one good innings away. Like Virat batted brilliantly in the last game. And I am sure Rohit will be there to make up that lost ground. Because he has to, again, this is the last one day at Lords. And I am sure he will make up for it."
Lalchand Rajput shares his first experience of young Rohit Sharma
Lalchand Rajput also shed light on a young Rohit Sharma whom he saw during the T20 World Cup 2007 when he made his debut while the former was the team manager of the India National Cricket Team. He stated that Rohit had more time to play the ball and he never tried to hit the ball hard.
"When I first saw him at the National Cricket Academy, I felt he was a batsman who had a lot of time. Even now, when he is batting well, you feel he has so much time to play his shots."
"He doesn't hit the ball too hard, but the ball still travels, the way he batted against South Africa, he never looked like someone playing his first World Cup. He played like a mature cricketer," Rajput said.
"No one knew Rohit then"- Lalchand Rajput on Rohit Sharma's debut innings
Lalchand Rajput spoke about the debut knock against South Africa where Rohit scored a 50 and announced himself to the world. The former head coach described the knock as one of the best as he played the fast bowlers on South African pitches
He said, "Yeah, as you said, rightly. Because no one knew Rohit then. That was a knock which brought him into international circuit. And the best thing, as I said, the way he played those fast bowlers, you know. That was very. And the shots of the back foot, the cut, the pull shot.
