Rohit Sharma produced a superb 138 off 110 deliveries in the third ODI between India and England on Sunday, July 19.
At the historic Lord’s ground, Rohit responded with the bat after a pair of modest performances. Despite his effort, India fell short in the match and conceded the series.
Rohit’s knock included 17 fours and five sixes. He became the first Indian to register an ODI century at the venue, offering a timely show of class as India pursued a target of 387, closing on 360 for 7 and losing by 27 runs. England, led by Ben Duckett’s hundred, took the series 2-1.
With retirement conjecture building ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, Rohit’s aggressive innings was timely. Reports had suggested he would retire after the Lord’s game, claiming selectors were planning beyond him for 2027.
Contrary to those claims, the BCCI firmly rejected the rumours, with secretary Devajit Saikia stating Rohit remains central to India’s plans.
Rohit’s display on Sunday added a fresh twist to the narrative. The 39-year-old’s current status is unclear, and after the match, India captain Shubman Gill offered no significant update.
“We have not had a chance. He has not told us anything. I think it’s probably in the media. Not been in discussion at all,” Gill said at the post-match press conference.
The India skipper praised Rohit’s century, which made the Mumbai batsman the first Indian to score an ODI hundred at the famous ground.
“I think the way Rohit bhai faced the bowlers, he was very calm. Most of the time, I was a non-striker, and watching him, he was very calm. In the powerplay, we were talking about whether to go for a hit or not, but we saw that hitting with a new ball is not that easy. And I think the way he faced the bowlers, and the way he accelerated, I think he got close to 60-70 in quick time. So, he was very calm,” Gill added.
India’s next ODI assignment is a three-match series against the West Indies in September, and selection for that tour should clarify the veteran’s future.
