Amid speculations of retirement, Rohit Sharma scored 138 runs at Lord’s on Sunday (July 19). He faced 110 balls in his innings and hit 17 fours and 5 sixes. However, his innings could not help Team India. In response to England’s 387 runs, the Indian team could reach only 360 runs. Host England won by 27 runs and won the series 2-1.
Apart from Rohit, captain Shubman Gill (77) and Virat Kohli (74) also played half-centuries for India but they missed when there was a need to increase the run rate. The wickets of Ishan Kishan (14) and Shreyas Iyer fell in the space of 3 balls, leaving Team India behind in the run chase and returning from the United Kingdom tour with just one win.
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Rohit doesn’t want to retire yet?
Ever since the second ODI played between India and England in Cardiff on Thursday (July 16), there were speculations that Rohit may take retirement soon. It was claimed in media reports that Lord’s ODI could be his last international match. According to reports, the selectors now want to try Yashasvi Jaiswal in his place.
After playing a century at Lord’s, Rohit said on these rumors that he does not care about all these things. Rohit said in an interview to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), ‘Ever since I made my debut, this noise has always been there and it will continue as long as I am here. All these things don’t matter much to me. The most important thing for me is what I do on the field and how much I contribute to the team’s success. Right now my entire focus is only on him.
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What did Rohit say on external noise?
He also admitted that there would be no fun if there were no external noises. He said, ‘Let there be noise. If there is no noise then there will be no fun. My work is inside the field, what is being said outside is the work of others. That’s the way I look at it.
BCCI has shared the video of this interview on its social media handle, in which Rohit is seen putting an end to the rumors of his retirement. However, the danger is still not over.
Fitness is good but Yashasvi is in line
Former Team India captain Rohit had also concluded the Australia tour with a century. Now he has kept his hopes of playing in the 2027 ODI World Cup alive by scoring a century in the last match of the series against England. 39 year old Rohit has also worked hard on his fitness, which shows that he wants to participate in the upcoming World Cup at any cost. However, age is no longer on his side.
A big example of this was seen at Lord’s itself. Rohit is known for playing long innings. But as soon as he completed his century at Lord’s, he was seen struggling with hamstring problem. At his age, such injuries are common. Now Rohit will hardly ever be able to play a big innings without any problems. In such a situation, a new player like Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has scored 2 centuries in the last 3 ODI matches, can also be tried from time to time.
Rohit’s retirement can come any time
India’s next ODI series is against West Indies in September. Rohit’s retirement may possibly come in this series, because his chances of playing in the World Cup seem very less. By the World Cup, Rohit would have crossed the age of 40. In such a situation, Yashasvi can be seen opening with captain Shubman Gill in this global event.
Yashasvi also needs a few matches to prepare, given that there is a possibility of Rohit’s retirement in the upcoming home series against West Indies. If he gets the support of head coach Gautam Gambhir, only then his career will be able to take forward.
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