India opener Rohit Sharma has rejected the rumours surrounding his ODI future, stating that retirement is not in the cards despite reports that he might be headed for an ODI retirement after the England series.
The ODI series of three matches had seen some rumours building up, and there were some reports that Rohit’s last game for India may be the final match at Lord’s. But the BCCI as well as the old boy has now turned those speculations to the dustbin.
Rohit says that it does not affect him if there is noise outside.
Speaking in a video released by the BCCI after India’s 2-1 series defeat, Rohit said dealing with speculation has been a part of his career since making his international debut. He reiterated that his duty and agenda while on the field is all about India’s success.
The 38-year-old explained that external discussions regarding his career don’t affect him, and that he only focuses on performing on behalf of the team and the country to the best of his ability.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia also denied reports that Rohit would be picturing retirement from ODI cricket after the England series, saying that the opener is still available for future ODI duty.
Shubman Gill, the India skipper, expressed the same opinion after the third ODI, revealing that his dressing room had not discussed the possibility of Rohit getting out and the players were not told of such a plan.
Rohit closed the England series with an impressive 138 off 110 balls off 17 fours and 5 sixes in the final ODI. The loss was a big blow for India as they were down 27 runs at the end of the game and went down 2-1 in the series, but the score came after a modest start in the first two games.
Rohit has since retired from both Test cricket and T20 International cricket, and now only bowls 50 over cricket for India. He had earlier this year said that he would keep going till the 2027 ODI World Cup, which was one of his biggest dreams for his career.
As India gears up for the upcoming World Cup, the veteran batsman is unlikely to have his name on the collective list of the team’s ODI plans as the BCCI has backed him and Rohit is denying the rumours.
