Former India player Aakash Chopra has questioned what will happen to the reports and rumors about the star batter's retirement following Rohit Sharma's brilliant century in the third ODI against England. He praised the former captain of India for proving his class with an amazing knock.
On Sunday, July 19, England set a target of 388 runs for India in the third ODI at Lord's. Despite hitting 138 runs off 110 balls during the chase, Rohit was unable to save the visitors from a 27-run loss in London and a 1-2 ODI series loss.
After Rohit's elegant century, Aakash Chopra questioned how discussions about him would evolve.
"Form is temporary, class is permanent, and our man is class. He has scored a hundred. Now what will happen to the rumors, atmosphere, and conversations? After Rohit Sharma hadn't scored runs, there were discussions that this was his last match. Now that he has scored a hundred, it's worth talking about. Now, with what perspective and in what context will you talk about Rohit Sharma?" Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
Chopra pointed out that Rohit’s career was reportedly in jeopardy when he was stripped of his captaincy prior to the Australia tour last year.
"When he was removed from captaincy, there were discussions that Rohit Sharma's days were numbered and that he would have to score, which is absolutely fine. He went to Australia. He actually got out in the first match in Perth, and then he scored runs in Adelaide and a century in Sydney," he added.
However, following his century in the third ODI against England, Chopra questioned whether Rohit would be included in India's plans for the 2027 World Cup.
"The performance was decent against South Africa, the New Zealand series was slightly cold, and it was okay-okay against Afghanistan. Then the conversations started again; he had been told that he was not part of the 2027 World Cup plans. He has scored a hundred. Now tell me whether he is part of the plans or not," Chopra noted.
Rohit Sharma hit 17 fours and 5 sixes in his 138-run knock. He added 147 runs for the first wicket with Shubman Gill (77) and then added 113 runs for the second wicket with Virat Kohli (74). But his and Kohli’s dismissals triggered a collapse, and India finished with 360/7 in 50 overs in the chase of a 388-run target.
The veteran opener needs to be decided by the Indian selectors, Shubman Gill, Gautam Gambhir, and Rohit Sharma, according to Aakash Chopra.
"I am saying this for the selectors, captain, coach, and for Rohit as well. Everybody should sit together. There is no ODI cricket for the next two months. We will meet again in September for ODI cricket. By then, you should know exactly what needs to be done. There shouldn't be any ambiguity.
If every time Rohit Sharma has three bad games and in the fourth, we hear that the time is probably ending and that he might be dropped, then Rohit won't remain Rohit. Then he won't play freely and hit fours and sixes. Then he will become slightly cautious and conservative," Chopra concluded.
Chopra also stated that Rohit Sharma needs to know whether he is in the Indian team management’s plans for the future, irrespective of the runs he scores.
