Rohit Sharma gets complete freedom from coach Gautam Gambhir ahead of 2027 ODI World Cup: Exclusive

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has given senior opener Rohit Sharma complete freedom to play his natural game, with the team management keen to ensure that the veteran batter approaches cricket with a relaxed frame of mind, sources told India Today.

Rohit endured a disappointing outing in the ODI series opener against England, managing just 11 runs off 21 balls before Sam Curran dismissed him. The India skipper got off the mark with a trademark pull shot for four against Jofra Archer but fell soon after, miscuing a delivery from Curran straight into the hands of Harry Brook.

According to sources, Gambhir’s message to Rohit has been straightforward: the former India captain has already contributed immensely to Indian cricket and should continue to express himself without being weighed down by questions over his future.

“Rohit has done a lot for this team and the country in white-ball cricket. The coach wants him to play the way he has throughout his career and express himself freely,” sources said.

“The way Rohit Sharma has been batting under pressure, it seems clear that he needs a bit of time and mental space rather than constant scrutiny,’ the source added.

“Players of his calibre often perform at their best when they are free from external pressure and allowed to trust their natural instincts. Instead of overanalysing every innings, it is important to back someone who has consistently delivered for India over the years. A relaxed and confident Rohit Sharma is capable of changing games on his own, and sometimes faith and patience are just as important as technical adjustments.”

Gambhir’s directive is a strong rebuttal to speculation over Rohit Sharma’s ODI future, with reports suggesting his place in the side ahead of next year’s World Cup was under scrutiny. Rohit, who led India to Champions Trophy glory in 2025, was removed as ODI captain immediately after the triumph, with Shubman Gill taking over the reins. There was a school of thought that Rohit, who is now 39 and will be 41 by the time of the ODI World Cup, might no longer be at his best to cope with the demands of batting in South African conditions. However, the former captain, who only plays ODIs at the highest level, has worked hard on his fitness to stay in shape.

Since playing under Gill, Rohit has scored 563 runs in 13 matches at an average of 46.91 with a hundred and four fifties. On the other hand, Virat Kohli, who is also one of the senior members of the team, has scored 896 runs in 17 matches at an average of 64 with four hundreds and five fifties.

THE REASON BEHIND GAMBHIR’S DIRECTIVE

The thinking within the Indian camp is that complete mental freedom will allow Rohit to produce his best cricket. Rather than focusing on long-term plans or speculation surrounding his career, the management’s attention is firmly fixed on the present and on maximising the impact of one of India’s most accomplished white-ball batters.

Sources added that the current approach is not linked to any discussions about Rohit’s future.

“Nobody knows what the future holds. The focus right now is on the present. The team management wants Rohit to have complete peace of mind so that he can give his best whenever he plays,” the source added.

Rohit remains one of the most decorated ODI batters in the history of the game. The 38-year-old has scored 11,731 runs in 286 ODIs at an average of 48.68, including 33 centuries and a world-record score of 264. He is also the only batter in men’s ODI cricket to have registered three double hundreds.

The backing from Gambhir comes amid continuing discussions about the future of India’s senior players. However, those close to the team insist there is little appetite within the dressing room to look too far ahead.

Rohit’s recent performances suggest that he remains a crucial figure in India’s plans. Last month, he struck 79 off 69 balls against Afghanistan, while his aggressive approach at the top continues to set the tone for the side.

For the current team management, the priority is simple: shield Rohit from unnecessary scrutiny and allow him to trust the instincts that have served him so well throughout his career.

After failing in Birmingham, the veteran opener will now look to bounce back and make a bigger impact when India take on England in the second ODI at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Thursday, July 16.

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