Former India captain Rohit Sharma is likely to end his ODI career as two national selectors reportedly informed him over the phone that he is no longer part of the team’s future plans. The 39-year-old batsman was reportedly told that the selection committee has decided to proceed without him.
Shubman Gill-led India will face Harry Brook-led England in the third and final ODI at Lord’s on Sunday, July 19. The three-match series is level at 1-1 after India’s defeat in Cardiff. Chasing 259 runs, India won the opening match by six wickets. England bounced back with a four-wicket win in Cardiff.
Two selectors informed Rohit Sharma by phone
Sports Tak journalist Nitin Srivastava said that the selection panel informed Rohit Sharma about its plans. Srivastava said that the conversation took place through a phone call between the first two matches of the ongoing series in England.
“The selectors called Rohit Sharma. I won’t reveal the exact dates, but it happened during the series. Two selectors called him between the first and second ODI. Both of them told him that was the situation and they were moving ahead without him. That was the end of the discussion.”
“On the 16th, the news came that Rohit Sharma’s third match would be his last match. Why? Because by then the selectors had informed him. They had told Rohit Sharma between the 14th and the 16th that they no longer see him in their plans.”
“After that, it was completely Rohit’s decision whether to announce his retirement or not. No one can force him.”
Abhishek Tripathi supports reports on Rohit Sharma’s ODI future
Dainik Jagran journalist Abhishek Tripathi confirmed the report about the board management’s plans regarding Rohit’s retirement. Tripathi reacted to the video and wrote “True” on social media.
True.. https://t.co/BRMEsZq5VT
– Abhishek Tripathi/Abhishek Tripitaka (@abishereporter) July 18, 2026
Earlier, The Indian Express had reported that the team management has decided to pursue Rohit in the ODI format. Rohit has struggled for rhythm throughout the 2026 calendar year.
The right-handed batsman has looked poor at the top of the order, scoring 37 runs in the first two matches against England. In 2026, he scored 241 runs in eight innings at an average of 30.13 and a strike rate of 88.60, including one half-century.
Selectors back Yashasvi Jaiswal as Rohit Sharma’s successor
According to Times of India, the selection committee wanted to give young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal a chance in England. The report said that Rohit had rejected the request to rest during the home ODI series against Afghanistan. To include Jaiswal, captain Shubman Gill had to bat at number 3.
Later the selectors gave Rohit one last tour to regain his form. However, he recorded scores of 11 in Birmingham and 26 in Cardiff. The management now wants to give Jaiswal a long run before the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The significance of the final ODI at Lord’s has increased further when reports claimed that Rohit’s parents Gurunath Sharma and Purnima Sharma have reached London.
He is expected to watch what could be his son’s final international match. Meanwhile, during the team’s practice session, Rohit was seen in a relaxed mood with head coach Gautam Gambhir.
