The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has scheduled a high-level review meeting in Mumbai on Thursday (September 3). The meeting, featuring head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, will also focus on drafting a long-term strategy for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The roadmap discussions will also include the future of three veterans -- Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja -- heading into the quadrennial event. While the latter two face less immediate pressure, Rohit’s spot in the ODI setup is under heavy scrutiny.
During the England tour in July, it was reported that selectors had informed Rohit about their plan to transition away from him to blood younger talent like Yashasvi Jaiswal. It was also speculated that the Lord’s ODI could be his last in Indian colours.
However, after the 39-year-old slammed a century in that game, the narrative backfired, prompting BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia to issue a public statement confirming that Sharma will continue playing as long as he is in the scheme of things.
According to PTI, Rohit was angry with the retirement chatter during England ODIs. After his scintillating 138-run knock at Lord's, albeit in a losing cause, the possibility of retirement was ruled out at least for now.
Despite silencing immediate talk, it can't be said with certainty that Rohit will board that South Africa-bound flight next year.
Following his Lord’s ton, Rohit Sharma had brushed off retirement 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 had said while speaking to 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.”
Widely regarded as one of the greatest ODI batters of all time, Rohit Sharma has amassed 11,895 runs in 288 ODIs at an average of 48.95 and a strike rate of 93.04, including 34 centuries, 62 fifties and a best score of 264.
In 9 ODIs this year, Rohit has scored 379 runs in nine innings at an average of 42.11, with a hundred and fifty to his credit.
