![Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1784381854072_RohitSharmaGautamGambhir.jpg?type=hq)
Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma [Source: AFP]
All eyes are on Lord’s ahead of the final ODI between India and England as the speculations regarding Rohit Sharma’s international retirement continue to grow.
In an interesting development around the situation, the former India skipper and the head coach, Gautam Gambhir, ended up sending a subtle message over their alleged rift as the media and broadcasters saw them spending time together on the eve of the match.
Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir interact amid retirement buzz
With the series hanging in the balance after India’s loss at Cardiff earlier this week, the final ODI between the teams has much more riding on it than just Rohit Sharma’s potential retirement.
In the middle of the second ODI, just minutes after Rohit Sharma’s wicket, Express Sports’ Devendra Pandey reported that the last ODI of the series at Lord’s could be Sharma’s final game for India, with the team management conveying their disinterest in banking on him for the World Cup 2027.
It is also said that the head coach, Gautam Gambhir, is among the people who are against backing Sharma for the next year. But, just hours ahead of the series decider, Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir were seen together on the iconic Lord’s balcony, refuting all the claims around their rift.
Also Read: Before Virat-Rohit's Last Appearance, Jay Shah's ICC Discussing Massive Change For 2027 World Cup
Contrary to his reputation, Gambhir was seen sharing a laugh with his former skipper, making gestures of clicking Rohit’s photo, while the broadcasters watched on at the venue.
Concerning series for Rohit Sharma
The ongoing tour of England had a lot riding on it for Rohit Sharma, especially after an average IPL season, in which he managed to score only 283 runs in 9 matches.
While Rohit Sharma has improved his fitness since retiring from Tests in the summer of 2025, he has not scored much in the last few months.
Since the Australia ODIs in 2025, he has scored a century in Sydney, alongside four fifties, but since the IPL, his form has taken a dip. Leaving the Afghanistan series aside, he has only scored 11 and 26 in the two matches against England, raising questions over his place in the team.
He will be 40 in the summer of 2027, and his potential replacement, Yashasvi Jaiswal, has not played too many ODIs but has impressed with two centuries to his name. Ideally, the BCCI would like to present him with a run of ODIs if they want to replace Rohit Sharma, and this series could prove detrimental for the senior pro.
Rohit Sharma’s willingness to play the World Cup 2027
Since losing the World Cup 2023 final at home, Rohit Sharma has appeared in several interviews, openly expressing his willingness to take the flight to South Africa to feature in the World Cup 2027 and potentially win it for the first time in his career.
Currently, the odds are stacked against him, but his latest appearance alongside Gautam Gambhir on the Lord’s balcony could be a sign of positivity around him in the team.
Also Read: Harry Brook Reacts To Rohit Sharma's Retirement Buzz Ahead Of Lord's ODI
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