New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly advised members of the men’s senior selection committee to avoid interacting with the media amid mounting speculation over Rohit Sharma’s future in international cricket.
The development comes after India’s defeat to England in the second ODI at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, where reports suggesting that Sunday’s third and final ODI at Lord’s could be Rohit’s last appearance in the format dominated headlines.
However, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has dismissed the retirement speculation, insisting that no such decision has been taken.
“As long as Rohit Sharma remains in the scheme of things, he will continue to play,” Saikia said, rejecting reports that the veteran opener is set to be phased out of India’s ODI plans.
BCCI Reportedly Upset Over Information Leaks
According to a report by Cricbuzz, the BCCI is unhappy over confidential discussions related to Rohit’s future finding their way into the public domain.
The report claims that the board has instructed selectors to refrain from speaking to media personnel in any capacity to prevent further leaks and speculation.
It also states that the situation remains fluid, with no official decision yet taken regarding Rohit’s ODI future despite widespread reports suggesting otherwise.
Rohit’s 2027 World Cup Dream Under Spotlight
The debate over Rohit’s future has intensified as Indian cricket begins looking ahead to the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The 39-year-old opener has repeatedly expressed his desire to feature in the tournament, but his recent performances have raised questions over whether he will remain part of India’s long-term plans.
Rohit’s form has been under scrutiny after he managed 241 runs in his last eight ODI innings, averaging 30.12 with a strike rate of 88.60. His scores of 11 and 26 in the opening two ODIs against England have further fueled the debate over his place in the squad.
Selectors Divided Over Veteran Opener
According to sources cited by NDTV, some members of the national selection committee had already informed Rohit before last month’s Afghanistan series that they no longer viewed him as part of India’s long-term ODI plans.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir was reportedly kept informed during those discussions.
Despite those conversations, Rohit retained his place for both the Afghanistan series and the ongoing England tour after reportedly approaching senior officials within the BCCI.
However, following another disappointing outing against England, the selectors are believed to have reiterated their position to the veteran batter.
No Official Decision Yet
While speculation surrounding Rohit’s future continues to dominate discussions, the BCCI has maintained that no formal decision has been made regarding his retirement or exclusion from the ODI setup.
With the series decider at Lord’s approaching, all eyes will be on whether Rohit can deliver a strong performance and strengthen his case for continuing in India’s plans ahead of the next World Cup cycle.