A day after the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) rubbished speculation over Rohit Sharma’s ODI retirement, the India captain was seen sharing a light-hearted moment with head coach Gautam Gambhir at the Lord’s balcony. Sharma, who was at the ground for India’s optional practice session, hung out with the team management before entering his training session.
The retirement rumours, which gathered pace following reports that the Indian team management wanted to move on from the veteran opener after the England series, were firmly dismissed on Friday by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia. The board official clarified that Rohit was not retiring after the Lord’s ODI and remained an integral part of India’s ODI setup.
With the speculation put to rest, Rohit attended India’s optional training session at Lord’s on Saturday, July 18. The skipper was seen having discussions with head coach Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak in a desperate bid to return to form ahead of the series decider.
‘ROHIT WILL COME OUT OF SLUMP’
India bowling coach Morne Morkel also threw his weight behind the out-of-form opener, saying Rohit had overcome similar phases before.
“It has been difficult against the new ball with it moving around. No doubt Rohit Sharma will work that out, he has done it in the past. Rohit has that experience, and I am sure he will come out of it,” Morkel said.
While Saikia ruled out Rohit’s retirement after the Lord’s ODI, he stopped short of confirming whether the veteran opener remains part of India’s plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup. With Yashasvi Jaiswal waiting in the wings, the selectors could still take a call on Rohit’s future as India begin building towards the tournament in South Africa.
ROHIT, GAMBHIR AT LOGGERHEADS AGAIN?
If Rohit is indeed unhappy with the Indian team management, this would not be the first time. During India’s ill-fated tour of Australia in 2024-25, Rohit arrived late for a practice session ahead of the final Test in Sydney, and according to reports, gave a cold shoulder to the head coach. Struggling badly for runs, the India captain also skipped the pre-match press conference, with Gautam Gambhir addressing the media instead as India trailed 1-2 in the series.
Gambhir not only refused to confirm whether Rohit would play the final Test but also shut down reporters when asked why the captain was absent.
“The head coach is here. That should be enough,” Gambhir had said.
Saturday’s interaction painted a very different picture. Rohit and Gambhir spent time chatting and laughing at the Lord’s balcony before India’s optional training session, while bowling coach Morne Morkel addressed the media. Notably, no questions on Rohit’s retirement speculation were asked during the press conference at Lord’s.
– Ends
