Rohit Sharma's 2027 World Cup Spot Still Not Guaranteed Despite Retirement Fiasco

Rohit Sharma apparently considered retirement in England [Source: AFP]

A bombshell report has come out which claims that ex-captain Rohit Sharma had agreed to retire from international cricket after the last series against England. But a last-minute change of heart made him stay.

It’s no secret that Rohit’s place in the ODI squad has been in danger since the Champions Trophy victory. However, his retirement rumours intensified during the England series as Indian Express reported that Rohit will retire after the Lord’s ODI.

But things changed as Rohit scored a hundred at Lord’s and shut down the critics momentarily.

Rohit Sharma had a change of heart at Lord’s

Now, a PTI report has revealed that someone from the selection committee told Rohit Sharma that the selectors had decided to move on from him. Importantly, the alleged person was not chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

Not only that, but Rohit was reportedly even asked whether he could announce his retirement after the Lord's ODI. After a brief silence, the 39-year-old had reportedly agreed to step away despite being angry about the situation unfolding around him.

Interestingly, the situation changed significantly at Lord’s. Rohit Sharma walked out to bat with vengeance and scored 138 runs. That century delayed the retirement conversation, and hence, Rohit lived to see another day as an active Indian cricketer.

Also Read - BCCI Selectors Shutting Door On Rohit Sharma For 2027 World Cup

Rohit’s place for 2027 World Cup not guaranteed

While Rohit Sharma may have survived the axe in England, his fight is far from over. According to PTI, the century at Lord’s did not automatically secure his place in India's 2027 World Cup plans.

The BCCI is set to conduct a crucial meeting later this month to build a roadmap for the 2027 ODI World Cup, and Rohit’s future will reportedly be discussed.

Not only Rohit, but Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja are also under the radar. BCCI will contemplate if the three seniors are fit enough to fly to South Africa for the important World Cup.

But more than Kohli and Jadeja, Rohit Sharma is under the pump, especially after the huge uproar in the England series.

BCCI, selectors not on the same page?

Having said that, to come to a decision on whether Rohit Sharma deserves to play the 2027 ODI World Cup, the selectors and the BCCI must be on the same page, which is apparently not the case.

Before the Lord’s ODI, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia rejected Rohit’s retirement rumours, suggesting that he is in the team’s long-term plans. However, this stunt didn’t sit well with the selectors.

Since the selectors are unsure about Sharma’s ODI future, Saikia’s comments posed a direct contradiction to their vision. Hence, it is likely that this event will be discussed during the upcoming meeting.

Notably, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, ODI captain Shubman Gill and T20I captain Shreyas Iyer are expected to attend this meeting.

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