R Ashwin Goes No Holds Barred On Rohit Sharma's Retirement Reports

Ravi Ashwin, Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir [Source: AFP]

Rohit Sharma is set to bow out of the game after India’s upcoming series-deciding third ODI against England at Lord’s in London later this weekend. The legendary opening batter has been reportedly sidelined from India’s World Cup 2027 plans. 

The report stated that Sharma was informed of this decision by the BCCI earlier this week amidst the ODI series in England, with several media outlets claiming that the impending decider might well be the final international outing for the former captain. 

With Rohit nearing the brink of his international career, former all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has lambasted the BCCI and the Gautam Gambhir-led Indian team management for allegedly disrespecting the legendary cricketer.

R Ashwin slams BCCI, Gambhir for ‘disrespecting’ Rohit Sharma

Ravichandran Ashwin has launched a scathing verbal attack on Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and the BCCI for allegedly disrespecting seasoned veteran Rohit Sharma.

Also Read- Indian Team Management Breaks Silence On Rohit Sharma's Future

According to R Ashwin, Rohit has been made to feel “unwanted” in the Indian team, even though the legendary opener holds a prolific record in ODI matches. 

While speaking with Vimal Kumar on ‘Ash ki Baat’,  R Ashwin said “If players don't feel wanted, they can't perform at their best and they will feel so low for being there.”

Ashwin cites poor communication on part of BCCI

Ravichandran Ashwin also believes that the BCCI should have maintained proper communication with Rohit Sharma if they intended to sideline the former skipper from the national side. 

The legendary all-rounder also called out the BCCI for the timing they picked to inform Rohit about not being included in their World Cup 2027 plans, considering the tournament is roughly only a year away. According to Ashwin, the Indian selection committee should have informed Sharma about the same back in early 2025 itself following the conclusion of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

R Ashwin said “If selectors wanted to move on from Rohit Sharma, then they should have told him the same after 2025 Champions Trophy. Doing this now in 2026 is very wrong with World Cup very close where Rohit has done decent.”

Why is Rohit Sharma not in BCCI plans for World Cup 2027?

As reported by the Indian Express on July 16, the BCCI has decided to drop Sharma from Team India’s World Cup 2027 plans for next year. The report states that the selection committee wants to nurture younger talents for India’s opening slot in their road towards the showpiece event.

Moreover, the BCCI committee even has a particular youngster in mind in the form of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who recently struck a match-winning century against Afghanistan and is currently averaging over 70 in his ODI career. 

Is Rohit really struggling with the bat?

It is worth noting that just a year-and-a-half ago, Rohit Sharma led Team India to a historic 2025 ICC Champions Trophy win in UAE. He even won the ‘Player of the Match’ award in the final.

Later that year, the legendary right-hander struck a match-winning ton in Australia and scored two fifties in a three-match ODI series against South Africa at home. He also piled up runs against Afghanistan last month.

It is only in India’s ongoing away series against England where Sharma’s form issue has become a concern, considering the 39-year-old has registered only 37 runs in two innings so far at a dismal strike rate of 54.41. 

Rohit Sharma will now likely play the final match of his international career against England on Sunday, July 19 at Lord’s in London.

Also Read- India's World Cup 2027 Squad If Rohit Sharma Retires