New Delhi: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has hailed Rohit Sharma’s match winning century against England at Lord’s, saying the veteran opener responded to his critics with a “tight slap with the bat” after intense speculation over his international future.
Rohit’s superb knock of 138 in the third One Day International helped India secure victory and brought an end to growing retirement rumours that had surrounded him before the match. The innings, his maiden ODI century at Lord’s, was widely seen as a timely reminder of his class and experience.
Speaking during the opening match of The Hundred 2026 between MI London and Sunrisers Leeds at the Kia Oval, where Rohit was present as a spectator, Shastri praised the Indian captain for letting his bat do the talking.
He said Rohit had silenced his critics after the noise surrounding his future, describing the century as a fitting response. Shastri also highlighted Rohit’s remarkable achievements, including leading Mumbai Indians to five Indian Premier League titles.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also backed Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, insisting that players of their stature have earned the right to decide when they want to step away from the game.
Ashwin said Rohit’s vast experience and nearly 12,000 international runs make him one of India’s greatest batters. He added that both Rohit and Kohli command enormous support from fans, making any decision regarding their place in the team highly significant.
Speaking about Rohit’s motivation, Ashwin said the veteran opener is driven not by the need to answer critics but by his own ambition to represent India at the next ODI World Cup. According to Ashwin, Rohit has nothing left to prove and is focused solely on maintaining the standard required to achieve that goal.
Rohit’s commanding innings at Lord’s has strengthened his position ahead of the upcoming international fixtures and shifted attention from retirement speculation to his continued importance in India’s ODI plans.
