Rohit Sharma breaks silence on retirement rumours after England ODI series defeat

Rohit Sharma has put an end to speculation surrounding his international future after India cricket team">India cricket team">India cricket team">India cricket team">India's ODI series defeat to England, making it clear that retirement is not on his mind. The India opener responded with both words and performance, smashing a brilliant century in the series decider at Lord's despite India's 27-run defeat, which handed England a 2-1 series win.

The veteran batter had managed scores of just 11 and 26 in the first two ODIs, leading to widespread reports that the third match could be his last in international cricket and that selectors were considering moving on from him.

The speculation was first dismissed by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who confirmed that Rohit would continue to represent India beyond the England series. The 39-year-old has now personally rubbished the retirement rumours in an interview with the BCCI.

Having already retired from T20Is and Test cricket, Rohit now plays only the ODI format for India.

Addressing the constant scrutiny around his future, Rohit said he has learned to ignore the outside noise and remains focused solely on contributing to the team's success.

"My job is with the bat. Come and play, represent my country. That's what I have been told to do since I made my debut. That's what I am going to do. Since I made my debut, the noise was there. Till the time I am going to be there, the noise will be there. It doesn't matter to me. What matters is what I do on the field. I want to try and contribute to the success of the team. That's all my focus is."

He added: "If there is no noise, there is no fun. My job is inside. Their job is outside. That's how I look at it."

Rohit backed up his words with a superb knock of 138 off 110 balls in the third ODI at Lord's, an innings featuring 17 fours and five sixes. It was his maiden ODI century at the iconic venue and his eighth ODI hundred in England.

India captain Shubman Gill had also dismissed the retirement speculation after the series-deciding defeat, saying there had been no discussion within the dressing room about Rohit's future.

"He's not told us anything. I think it's all out in the media, but there's not been any discussion like that in the team," Gill said.

Rohit's long-term ambition has also remained unchanged. Speaking at an ICC event earlier this year, the India opener reiterated his desire to lead India at the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

"I definitely want to go out there and win the World Cup for my country; that is something that I've always looked upon. I've grown up watching this 50-over World Cup. There was no T20 World Cup, no IPL back then, and that was the pinnacle of cricket, which used to happen every four years. So, there was desperation; there was so much weight for that one trophy. And yeah, I really want that trophy, so I'm going to try and do everything in my power and capacity to work hard and get it," Rohit said during an ICC event.