Lord's ODI Likely to Be Rohit Sharma's Final Match for India, Selectors Signal Transition
The third and final One-Day International between India and England at Lord's on July 19 could mark the end of Rohit Sharma's ODI career for India, according to sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The senior selection committee has informed the opener that they plan to move on from him after the ongoing England tour, The Indian Express has learnt.
The selection committee, along with head coach Gautam Gambhir, is believed to have communicated their plans to Sharma last week. The committee is keen to provide opportunities to younger players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has been waiting in the wings. It is understood that the selectors do not see Sharma as part of their plans for the 2027 50-over World Cup.
“Selectors have informed Rohit he is not in their scheme of things post the England tour and they are moving on from him after this series. Though he wanted to continue, especially after working on his fitness. The selectors have left the ball in Sharma’s court to decide his future,” a source in the Indian board informed.
Sharma, who has already retired from T20 Internationals (June 29, 2024) and Test cricket (May 7, 2025), is reportedly unhappy with the decision. He spoke to a few BCCI officials on the sidelines of the England series to express his disappointment.
The selection committee’s decision aligns with its broader strategy of grooming young talents for the future. Players like Jaiswal have been kept on the bench despite performing well in domestic cricket. Earlier, the selectors had also removed Sharma from ODI captaincy, handing the role to Shubman Gill last year.
Sharma’s ODI captaincy record includes leading India to the 2023 World Cup final, where his aggressive approach at the top of the order set a new template for the team. That same attacking style carried over into India’s victorious 2024 T20 World Cup campaign under his leadership.
However, Sharma’s recent form has been a concern. In the ongoing England tour, he scored 11 and 26 runs off 47 balls in the first two ODIs. During the second ODI in Cardiff, he struggled to time the ball, raising questions about his current touch.
The final decision on his future now rests with Sharma, who may choose to retire from ODIs or continue playing domestic cricket. The match at Lord's could be a poignant farewell for one of India's most successful limited-overs captains.
