The retirement chatter intensified after Rohit’s lean patch in the recently held England tour.
Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta strongly criticized the retirement rumors surrounding Rohit Sharma during India’s recent ODI series against England. He stated that such intense media speculation was harmful to Indian cricket, especially coming right before a critical series decider.
Speculation intensified after Rohit struggled for rhythm, managing only 11 runs in the series opener at Edgbaston and a labored 26 off 47 balls during the second ODI at Cardiff.
Several media outlets claimed selectors wanted to transition to younger players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and that the series finale at Lord's would be Rohit’s last international appearance.
However, the 39-year-old emphatically silenced his critics at Lord's, smashing 138 off 110 balls and becoming the first Indian batter to score an ODI century at the iconic venue.
"I want to vent my anger a bit here because I was really angry when I was reading and listening to all of this. It is simple that as long as you keep scoring runs, you will keep playing. The only question comes in when that environment is created. Honestly, I have not heard it from any selector, captain, or the coach. It is a different matter if it was said off the field, which I am not privy to," Dasgupta said on his YouTube channel.
Following his Lord’s ton, Rohit Sharma brushed off outside chatter, citing that his sole focus remains on performing on the field and contributing to the Indian team.
“My job is with the bat. Come and play, represent my country, represent my team. That's what I have been told to do since my debut so that's what I am going to do,” Rohit said in an interview published by BCCI.tv.
“The noise since I made my debut was there. And till the time I am going to stay here, it is always going to 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. And let the noise be there. If there is no noise, there is no fun.”
Dasgupta also argued that established champions like Rohit and Virat Kohli deserve a longer rope, urging the BCCI and selectors to "leave them alone" and keep selection criteria strictly focused on performance rather than age.
"When you know that performances are needed, then these type of talks should not happen at all. Some people might get more chances, like Virat, Rohit, Shubman, they have been doing really well for years. It is not a debate about Rohit, it is a debate about everyone. When there are so many matches, it will happen, so just leave them alone. Don't treat them separately. Nothing has to change, just keep it simple," he remarked.