Speculation surrounding Rohit Sharma’s ODI future appears to have taken a backseat after the Indian captain’s brilliant century at Lord’s against England, a knock that not only guided India but also answered growing questions over his retirement.
Ahead of the third ODI at Lord’s, many believed it could be Rohit’s final appearance in Indian colours. However, the veteran opener responded in emphatic fashion, scoring a memorable 138—his maiden ODI century at the iconic venue—to silence critics and reaffirm his place in India’s plans.
Lord's ➡️ The Oval
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The Hitman is in attendance for the season opener! 😍#TheHundred 2026 👉 MI London vs Sunrisers Leeds | LIVE NOW! pic.twitter.com/5I9xYzOxrz
On Tuesday, Rohit was spotted in the stands at the Kia Oval as the The Hundred 2026 season got underway with the opening match between MI London and Sunrisers Leeds. His presence caught the attention of former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who was on commentary and couldn’t resist addressing the recent debate over Rohit’s future.
Ravi Shastri: ‘A Nice Tight Slap With the Bat’
Shastri praised Rohit’s response to the criticism surrounding his future, saying the opener had answered every question through his performance on the field.
“Well, the hitman is in, Ravi. Yes, he’ll be nice and relaxed after silencing his critics. A lot of noise made before that last one-day international, and then a reply, a nice tight slap with the bat. 138. His first hundred at Lord’s. Yeah, he’s seen it all, five titles for the Mumbai Indians as captain,” Shastri said in the commentary box during the match.
The comments reflected the widespread belief that Rohit’s match-winning innings has temporarily ended discussions over his retirement from ODI cricket.
Ashwin Says Rohit and Virat Are Untouchable
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also weighed in on the debate, expressing confidence that neither Rohit Sharma nor Virat Kohli can be forced out of the Indian team if they still wish to continue playing.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin highlighted the stature both players have earned through years of consistent performances.
“They cannot touch Virat and Rohit if they want to play. It is because of their credentials. Rohit has scored almost 12,000 runs; they cannot touch him. The other thing is that they are batters, and if you touch them, they have an army. People come to see them. If you drop them, it will just break the roof down,” Ashwin said.
Ashwin believes the pair’s achievements and immense popularity make them invaluable to Indian cricket, both on and off the field.
Rohit’s Motivation Is the 2027 ODI World Cup, Says Ashwin
Ashwin also dismissed the idea that Rohit’s recent performances are driven by criticism or outside pressure.
Instead, he believes the Indian skipper’s motivation comes from his personal ambition to represent India at the next ODI World Cup.
“The position he is in and the way he batted, it’s not that difficult for him. We have seen him for so many years; there’s nothing left to prove. Whom does he have to prove? It is only about the internal appetite: I want to go to the World Cup, that’s why I need to play like this,” Ashwin stated.
According to Ashwin, Rohit’s hunger to compete at another global tournament is what continues to drive his performances rather than any desire to answer critics.
Retirement Talk Takes a Back Seat
Rohit Sharma’s commanding century at Lord’s has significantly changed the narrative around his international future.
What was expected to be a farewell appearance instead became a reminder of the opener’s enduring class, with support from former teammates and coaches reinforcing the belief that he remains a vital part of India’s ODI setup.
For now, Rohit’s performances have spoken louder than speculation, and the conversation has shifted from retirement to how long one of India’s greatest white-ball batters can continue leading from the front.