Rohit Sharma was reportedly angry but ready to announce his retirement from international cricket during India’s July tour of England. According to PTI, the 39-year-old agreed to step away after receiving a message from the selection committee, and his future remains uncertain ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to hold a review meeting in Mumbai on Thursday. Notably, the meeting will discuss the ODI futures of Rohit, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja ahead of the 2027 World Cup. Rohit and Virat continue to play ODIs for India after retiring from Tests and T20Is.
Rohit Sharma Was Angry But Agreed to Retire After Selectors’ Message
According to a PTI report, a member of the Indian selection committee, but not chief selector Ajit Agarkar, told Rohit Sharma that the selectors had decided to move on from him. The panel felt Rohit was no longer in its “scheme of things” and wanted to give younger batters more opportunities.
The selectors also asked Rohit whether he could announce his retirement after the third ODI against England at Lord’s during the July tour. Rohit had already retired from T20Is in 2024 and Tests in 2025, but he remained keen to continue playing ODIs and had worked on his fitness to stay in contention.
There was no immediate response from Rohit or those close to him. However, the PTI report stated that Rohit was angry with the decision but had agreed to the selectors’ request.
Rohit Sharma’s Lord’s Ton Puts Retirement Talk on Hold
Reports suggested that the third ODI against England at Lord’s on July 19 could be Rohit Sharma’s final international appearance. He had scored only 37 runs across the first two ODIs, which increased speculation about his future in the Indian team.
Rohit then responded with a brilliant 138 off 110 balls in the series finale. India lost the match but his century temporarily put the retirement discussion on hold. However, the PTI report suggested that the innings did not guarantee Rohit a place in India’s ODI squad for the 2027 World Cup.
Rohit remains one of India’s most experienced ODI batters. He has scored 11,895 runs in 288 ODIs at an average of almost 49 and a strike rate of 93.04, with 34 centuries. He also holds the record for the most ODI World Cup centuries, with seven, including five centuries in the 2019 edition.
BCCI Review Meeting to Discuss Rohit Sharma’s Future
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had earlier rejected reports that Rohit was set to retire. Saikia said that the veteran would continue playing for India as long as he remained part of the team’s plans. The disagreement has also put Ajit Agarkar’s position as chief selector under discussion.
Agarkar was reportedly expecting an extension until the 2027 World Cup, but the BCCI’s upcoming meeting in Mumbai will also consider his future. There is speculation that the board could replace him with VVS Laxman, who currently heads the Centre of Excellence.
The meeting will also discuss the ODI futures of Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja. However, they are not facing similar pressure at present. Rohit is expected to remain in contention for India’s next ODI assignment, a three-match home series against the West Indies starting September 27.
