Rohit Sharma could be approaching the end of his ODI career, with the third match against England at Lord’s on July 19 reportedly set to carry major significance for the former India captain.
Reports suggest India’s selectors may move on from Sharma after the England series as they shape their plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup. The final decision on retirement is reportedly still Sharma’s to make.
Selectors reportedly looking beyond Sharma
According to a report by The Indian Express, the BCCI senior selection committee discussed the road ahead with Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir last week. The report said Sharma was informed that he was not part of the team’s longer-term ODI plans beyond the England tour.
The selection panel is understood to be considering an extended opportunity for Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top of the order. That approach would give India more time to build a younger core ahead of the next World Cup cycle.
| Match | Rohit Sharma’s Score | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|
| First ODI | 11 | Failed to make a substantial contribution |
| Second ODI, Cardiff | 26 off 47 balls | His slowest ODI innings of 25 or more runs |
Recent batting form adds to the pressure
Sharma’s recent returns have added weight to the debate over his place in India’s ODI side. He scored 11 in the first ODI before making 26 from 47 balls in Cardiff.
During the second match, he struggled to find consistent timing and hit only one six before Will Jacks dismissed him. He also survived close chances, including a miscued shot that landed safely between fielders.
Sports.yahoo.com reported that the 26-run innings was Sharma’s slowest ODI knock when scoring at least 25 runs. His declining strike rate and hesitant strokeplay have intensified scrutiny around his future.
A changing leadership and selection picture
India had already handed ODI captaincy duties to Shubman Gill last year, signalling a generational transition in white-ball cricket. The reported selection thinking now appears focused on long-term stability rather than retaining established names.
Sharma retired from T20 internationals on June 29, 2024, hours after leading India to World Cup success. He later announced his Test retirement on May 7, 2025, ahead of India’s England tour that summer.
Lord’s could become a landmark occasion
If the Lord’s ODI becomes Sharma’s final international appearance, it would close a career that reshaped India’s white-ball batting approach and produced multiple ICC trophies under his captaincy. The match would also mark a difficult transition for a side preparing for the future without one of its most influential modern opening batters.
For now, the reports leave Sharma’s next step unresolved, even as India’s selection direction appears increasingly clear. His performance in the remaining match could add another chapter to a decision that may soon define the end of his ODI journey.
