NEW DELHI: There was plenty of speculation before the third ODI against England at Lord’s that Rohit Sharma could be playing his final one-day international for India. The veteran opener answered those rumours in his own style, smashing a superb 138 off 110 balls. His innings included 17 fours and five sixes as he almost guided India to a record chase.England had posted a massive 387/3, and despite Rohit’s brilliant effort, India fell 27 runs short in the series finale. Speaking to BCCI.tv after the match, Rohit said he pays no attention to the outside noise and remains focused only on helping the team.“Look, my job is with the bat. Come and play. Represent my country, represent the team. That’s what I’ve been told to do since I made my debut. So that’s what I’m gonna do,” Rohit said.“The noise… Since I made my debut, was there and till the time I’m gonna stay here, it’s always gonna be there. So it doesn’t really matter too much. What matters is what I do on the field. Try and contribute to the success of the team. That’s all my focus is right now,” the former India captain said.“And let the noise be there. You know there’s no noise. There’s no fun. My job is inside, their job is outside, so that’s how I look at it,” Rohit added.
Retirement rumours before Lord’s ODI
Speculation had spread on social media before the Lord’s match that it could be Rohit’s final ODI in Indian colours.Instead, the 38-year-old reminded everyone of his class with one of his finest ODI knocks, keeping India in the chase until the closing stages.Earlier, The Times of India had reported that Rohit’s place in India’s ODI XI was no longer guaranteed, with the selectors planning to pick players based on form and fitness as preparations begin for the 2027 ODI World Cup. The report added that the door remains open for Rohit to continue, provided he keeps performing consistently.Rohit is currently just 12 matches away from becoming only the eighth player in ODI history to make 300 appearances. He has played 288 ODIs and scored 11895 runs at an average of 48.95, including 38 centuries and 62 fifties.
BCCI clears the air
Amid the speculation, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia dismissed reports that the Lord’s ODI would be Rohit’s last match for India.“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,” Saikia told PTI.He also made it clear that the veteran opener remains part of India’s ODI plans.“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 won’t be his last match,” the BCCI secretary confirmed.
