Rumours about a legendary batter’s future can spread fast and that’s exactly what happened with Rohit Sharma earlier this year. New details have now surfaced about what India’s selection committee is said to have communicated to Rohit during the England tour, that he no longer fit into their future plans and that they were ready to move forward without him, largely to make room for a younger opener like Yashasvi Jaiswal ahead of next year’s ODI World Cup.
Rohit Sharma, however, hadn’t given up on his international career. He had reportedly worked hard on his fitness and genuinely wanted to keep playing for India. According to a news agency, he wasn’t happy when he heard the panel’s decision but ultimately accepted it.
Not long after, reports began circulating that the third ODI between India and England at Lord’s on July 19 would mark the end of Rohit’s career. The story sparked a huge reaction from fans and media alike, prompting BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia to step in and deny the claims, stating instead that Rohit Sharma would continue playing for India for as long as he remained part of the team’s plans.
Amid all the pressure and constant speculation, the 39-year-old responded in the best way possible — with a big century that seemed to quiet the retirement talk, at least for now.
The BCCI also shared a video of Rohit Sharma addressing the swirling rumours directly. Brushing off the speculation as mere “noise”, he said that his focus has always been on his batting, showing up, playing for his country and representing the team, just as he’s done since his debut, and that’s exactly what he intends to keep doing.
He added that this kind of noise around him has existed since the start of his career and will likely continue for as long as he’s playing, so it doesn’t bother him much. He said that what actually matters to him is his performance on the field and doing his part to help the team succeed.
