"It's all upto him": Madan Lal urges patience amid Rohit Sharma's ODI retirement speculation ahead of Lord's finale
New Delhi, July 17
Former India cricketer Madan Lal has urged fans and the cricket fraternity not to jump to conclusions over Rohit Sharma's ODI future, saying any decision on the veteran batter's retirement would be entirely personal.
Speculation has been rife that the third and final ODI against England at Lord's on Sunday could be Rohit's last appearance in the 50-over format. However, neither Rohit Sharma nor the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made any official announcement regarding his retirement.
Reacting to the growing buzz, Madan Lal said there was no clarity yet on the matter despite reports of discussions between the selectors and the former India captain.
"Rohit Sharma has not said anything out loud so far, but I do not know what conversation he had with selectors. Indian selectors must have spoken to Rohit Sharma. But no such news has come to light. Whatever he decides will be his personal decision. It is all upto him because this is an individual decision," Madan Lal told ANI.
If Rohit decides to retire from ODI cricket, it would bring the curtains down on an international career spanning nearly 19 years. The 39-year-old made his ODI debut against Ireland in Belfast on June 23, 2007, and has already stepped away from both the T20I and Test formats.
The retirement chatter has gathered momentum during the ongoing England series, where Rohit has struggled for runs. The veteran opener has managed scores of 11 and 26 in the first two ODIs and has scored 241 runs in eight matches this year at an average of 30.12, with a highest score of 79.
According to reports, India's selectors informed Rohit before the England series that he was no longer in their plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup, with the team management keen to groom younger opening batters ahead of the tournament in Africa.
The reports further stated that the selectors have left the final decision to Rohit, who has not yet conveyed his plans to the BCCI, team management or selectors.
Rumours intensified after Rohit's 26-run knock in the second ODI at Cardiff, following another disappointing outing in the series opener at Edgbaston, where he scored 11. Despite the scrutiny surrounding the veteran batter, India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak dismissed suggestions that Rohit was under pressure and expressed confidence that he could produce a significantly better performance in the series decider at Lord's.
The discussions surrounding Rohit's future are understood to have begun during IPL 2026, with head coach Gautam Gambhir also involved in the deliberations. Earlier this year, Rohit became the oldest male cricketer to represent India in ODIs, overtaking Mohinder Amarnath's record during the Dharamsala ODI against Afghanistan.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone who watches from abroad, Rohit's elegance in ODIs is unmatched. But I think the selectors are right to look ahead for 2027. We need younger openers like Jaiswal and Gill to get more game time. Still, Rohit deserves a grand farewell at Wankhede, not a quiet exit at Lord's. Hope he gets a hundred in the final ODI!
Honestly, thoda dukh hota hai jab aise legend ka end dekhte hain. Rohit Sharma ne ODI mein itne records banaye - double centuries, World Cup performance. But form is temporary, class is permanent? Sirf 241 runs this year is concerning for someone of his caliber. Maybe it's time to pass the torch, but let him decide with dignity. 🤔
Madan Lal speaking sense as always. But why is there so much drama around Rohit's retirement? If he's not in plans for 2027 WC, better to announce soon. Players like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal need clarity. Also, retirement speculation affects team morale. Let him play Lord's ODI freely - if he scores big, maybe selectors rethink? 🤷♂️
I've followed Rohit since his debut in 2007. He's been a joy to watch - the pull shots, the timing over cover. But international cricket is cruel. At 39, with young guns waiting, maybe this is logical. Still, I hope India handles this transition better than they did with some other legends. Respect Rohit's choice, whatever it is.
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