Lord’s could host Rohit Sharma’s final ODI as selectors eye future

By Arjun Nair / 17.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 16 July 2026 — 3 min read

The third One Day International (ODI) between India and England at Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 19 could mark the final international appearance for Rohit Sharma. Reports indicate that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) senior selection committee has decided to move forward without him after the current series concludes, looking towards the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Discussions reportedly took place last week between the selection panel, Sharma, and head coach Gautam Gambhir to outline the future vision for the team. The committee is understood to be keen on providing an extended opportunity to Yashasvi Jaiswal, suggesting that Sharma may not be part of their long-term plans.

Selectors Prioritise Future Stability

A source within the Indian board confirmed that selectors communicated to Sharma that his future beyond the England tour was not included in their planning, despite his expressed desire to continue playing and his significant investment in fitness. The decision regarding his next steps has reportedly been left to Sharma himself.

However, reports mention that Sharma raised concerns directly with some BCCI officials during the ongoing series, expressing dissatisfaction with how the decision was conveyed. This potential ODI exit would follow his earlier retirements from other formats; he stepped away from T20Is on June 29, 2024, after leading India to World Cup victory, and announced his Test retirement on May 7, 2025, via social media before that summer’s tour of England.

Sharma’s recent performance with the bat has not strengthened his case for an extension. He scored 11 runs in the first ODI and a laboured 26 runs off 47 balls in the second ODI at Cardiff. His innings at Cardiff was particularly notable as it was his slowest in ODI career for knocks of at least 25 runs. He managed only one six during his stay before being dismissed by Will Jacks.

The ODI captaincy was already handed over to Shubman Gill last year, indicating a generational shift being prepared by the BCCI ahead of the 2027 World Cup. While ending a legendary career is challenging, especially for a player who redefined India’s white-ball batting and delivered multiple ICC trophies as captain, cricket often prioritises future stability.

Transition Plans and Player Form

The selectors appear to be prioritising long-term clarity over short-term loyalty, with Sharma’s declining strike rate and hesitant strokeplay in recent innings supporting this decision. If the Lord’s ODI is indeed his last, it would be a fitting venue for a player whose legacy in the format remains undeniable.

In the last eight ODIs, Sharma has accumulated 241 runs at an average of 30.1 and a strike-rate of 88.6, including one half-century. Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar is currently in Cardiff as the touring selector, and it is clear that they are not considering the 39-year-old for the next year’s ODI World Cup.

National selectors are reportedly keen on giving Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored two hundreds in three innings, a longer run. A senior BCCI source mentioned that while no one can compel Sharma to retire, it is evident that selectors intend to look forward for the home series against West Indies in September. Sharma’s future is a decision he needs to make himself.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar are reportedly in agreement that Virat Kohli remains an automatic choice due to his form and fitness, but not Sharma. It is understood that if Sharma were to continue beyond England, it would mean Jaiswal, who is next in line, would miss out on valuable game time. There were also differing views between the selection committee and Sharma regarding his Test retirement.

Looking Ahead to the 2027 World Cup

Sources close to the selection committee maintained that they did not want Sharma to decide after playing only two of the five Tests in England. However, those familiar with Sharma’s perspective stated that he never intended to play only two games and had made himself available for the entire series. The committee looks to build around Yashasvi Jaiswal ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

Source: sports.yahoo.com