New Delhi: Rohit Sharma’s future in India’s ODI setup has come under intense scrutiny, with reports indicating that the national selection committee is preparing to move in a new direction despite the veteran opener’s desire to continue until the 2027 ODI World Cup.
According to reports, the selectors have conveyed their plans to Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir, making it clear that they want to begin building the team around younger players. While Rohit remains determined to extend his ODI career, the management is believed to be prioritising long term planning ahead of the next World Cup.
The biggest beneficiary of this transition is expected to be Yashasvi Jaiswal. The young left handed opener has impressed with consistent performances whenever given opportunities and is now seen as the frontrunner to replace Rohit at the top of the order. With roughly 20 ODIs remaining before the 2027 World Cup, the selectors reportedly want Jaiswal to receive an extended run and establish himself as a regular in the format.
Reports also suggest that Rohit was unhappy with the decision and held discussions with BCCI officials during India’s ongoing ODI series in England. It has further emerged that the veteran and the selectors were not completely aligned over his Test retirement, which he announced before the England tour.
Speculation intensified after claims that the third ODI against England could be Rohit’s final appearance for India. However, India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak dismissed suggestions that the former captain was under pressure, insisting that a player of Rohit’s stature is capable of overcoming a lean patch.
Kotak maintained that Rohit’s recent lack of runs should not be viewed as a major concern, adding that conditions in England had not suited his natural game. He expressed confidence that the experienced opener could still produce a match winning innings, while emphasising that temporary dips in form are common even among the world’s best batters.
