Rohit Sharma Retirement Rumours: Team India Denies Pressure

By Aditya Nagar | July 17, 2026

Rohit Sharma Retirement Rumours: Following a tough outing in the first two ODIs against England, Rohit Sharma has received backing from batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, who clarified that the team management is not placing pressure on the veteran batsman.

However, pressure of a different kind may be mounting; on Thursday, media reports emerged suggesting selectors have informed the former skipper he is excluded from India's plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

NOTE: Follow cricket news, football updates, live scores, match analysis, and other latest news.

Rohit Sharma Retirement Rumours: Poor Form Fuels Rohit Retirement Talk

The report also mentioned that the 39-year-old might retire from international cricket after Sunday's match at Lord's.

In the second ODI in Cardiff, which India lost by four wickets, Rohit faced 47 balls and scored 26 runs.

He struggled to rotate the strike before Will Jacks got him out. In the first ODI at Edgbaston, he scored only 11 runs.

The team has drawn more attention since Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a century in India's last match but was not picked for the ODI squad against England.

Sitanshu Kotak on Rohit Sharma Retirement

Team India denies pressure on Rohit Sharma: While many fans want him back in the team, Sitanshu Kotak dismissed the speculation, stating that a player of Rohit Sharma's experience wouldn't be affected by outside pressure.

He said the team still fully trusts Rohit, even though he did not score much in the first two ODIs. Kotak also said Rohit looked set for a big innings before he got out.

He explained that these phases are common in cricket, when batters sometimes cannot find their rhythm or get balls in their preferred scoring areas.

Rohit Sharma ODI Career: Batting Coach Breaks Down Why Rohit Sharma Couldn't Shift Gears

Rohit Sharma Retirement Rumours: According to Kotak, Rohit did not seem to be struggling but just could not build momentum because the conditions and deliveries did not suit his strengths.

The batting coach said the pitch's uneven bounce may have stopped Rohit from playing his usual attacking shots.

He pointed out that Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli started quickly, but Rohit did not get enough balls in his favourite areas to score faster.

Rohit Sharma's future in Team India: Ex-Selector Backs Star Amid 2027 WC Snub Buzz

Rohit Sharma Retirement Rumours: Kotak is confident Rohit can do much better in the third ODI at Lord's. He added that many batters go through tough times like this, and it should not be seen as a sign of decline.

Meanwhile, the media report said Rohit Sharma is not in India's plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

The report also said the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has left the final decision about his international future to Rohit.

The report also said the selectors want to focus on younger players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and told Rohit about their decision last week.

It said Rohit was unhappy with this and spoke to BCCI officials about it during the England series.

The selection committee removed Rohit as India's ODI captain last year and made Shubman Gill his successor.

Rohit Sharma Record: A Legacy Built on Dominance

Rohit Sharma is now recognised as one of India’s most successful ODI captains. His achievements have helped raise Team India’s profile around the world.

India won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 under Rohit's captaincy, showcasing his talent as a smart and inspiring leader.

Even after passing the captaincy to Shubman Gill before the Australia ODI tour, Rohit still supports the team by sharing his experience and advice.

Rohit Sharma Captaincy: Joins Elite Club, Second Only to Clive Lloyd in ODI Captaincy

Rohit Sharma Retirement Rumours: Rohit Sharma’s record as ODI captain is impressive. India won 42 out of 56 matches with him in charge, lost 12, drew 1, and had 1 no-result.

His 72.35% win rate is the highest among Indian ODI captains. Around the world, Rohit ranks second among all ODI captains, which highlights how consistent and effective his leadership is.

Clive Lloyd, who led the West Indies to two World Cup titles, is the only captain with a better record than Rohit. Lloyd has a 76.19% win rate with 64 wins in 84 matches.

Faf du Plessis from South Africa follows with a 71.79% win rate from 28 wins in 39 games.

Rohit’s record stands out even more when compared to other Indian captains. Virat Kohli has a 68.42% win rate from 65 wins in 95 matches, ranking seventh overall.

MS Dhoni Among ODI Captaincy Greats as India's Historic ICC Dominance Continues

MS Dhoni, who led India in 200 ODIs, has a 55% win rate and is 37th in the world. The team has shown great resilience and consistency.

In the 2025 Champions Trophy, India won all five matches. In the 2024 T20 World Cup, India made history by becoming the first team to win the tournament without losing a match, winning all eight completed games.

Their only non-win was a rain-abandoned match against Canada. In the 2023 ODI World Cup, India stayed unbeaten until the final, where they narrowly lost to Australia.

Rohit Sharma's Leadership Legacy Sets the Stage for Shubman Gill's Era

Rohit’s strong leadership, smart strategies, and ability to motivate his team really stand out.

Now, as Shubman Gill takes over as captain, Rohit’s achievements set a high standard and help the Men in Blue keep succeeding in white-ball cricket.

Read More: