Rohit Sharma (Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry photo)
New Delhi: There was a lot of speculation ahead of the third ODI against England at Lord’s that Rohit Sharma could play his last one-day international for India. The veteran responded to the rumors in his own style, smashing 138 off 110 balls.
His innings included 17 fours and five sixes as he almost led India to a record run chase.England scored 387/3, and despite Rohit’s brilliant efforts, India lost by 27 runs at the end of the series.
Speaking to BCCI.tv after the match, Rohit said that he does not pay any attention to external noise and remains focused only on helping the team.“Look, my job is with the racket. Come and play. Represent my country, represent the team.
This is what I’ve been told to do since I first came out. “That’s what I’ll do,” Rohit said.“The hype… since I made my debut, it has been there, and till the time I stay, it will always be there. So it doesn’t really matter much. What matters is what I do on the field. I try to contribute to the team’s success,” the former India captain said. That’s all my focus now.”“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 I look at it like that,” Rohit added.
Pre-ODI retirement rumors Lord
Speculation was rife on social media ahead of the Lord’s match that it could be Rohit’s last ODI in Indian colours.Instead, the 38-year-old reminded everyone of his class with one of his best ODI knocks, keeping India in the hunt until the latter stages.Earlier, The Times Of India reported that Rohit’s place in India’s ODI XI is no longer guaranteed, as selectors plan to pick players based on form and fitness as preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup begin.
The report added that the door remains open for Rohit to continue, provided he continues to perform 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 international matches and scored 11,895 runs at an average of 48.95, including 38 centuries and 62 fifties.
BCCI cleans the air
Amid the speculation, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia dismissed reports that Lord’s ODI will be Rohit’s last match for India.“There is a lot of speculation in the media about Rohit Sharma’s future. I want to strongly stress that there has been no such discussion that Rohit will play 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 will continue to represent the country as long as he is in the scheme of things. In other words, the Lord’s ODI will not be his last match,” the BCCI secretary confirmed.
