During the middle of India’s ODI series against England in July 2026, the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar and a part of the team management reportedly made it clear to Rohit Sharma that he no longer featured in their plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup. According to reports by Dainik Jagran, they believed India could not win the tournament with the 39-year-old in the side and preferred to give opportunities for younger openers like Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Sharma, who had been working on his fitness and wanted to continue, was left to decide his own future after the series. Speculation about his possible retirement became viral on social media after a failure in the second ODI at Cardiff, turning Lord’s into what many thought could be his farewell match.
However, two days before that Lord’s ODI, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia publicly dismissed the retirement rumours. He stated that Rohit remained a regular member of the ODI side and that the match would not be his last. As per the source, several selectors felt betrayed by that statement. They felt the board had shifted its stance under social-media pressure rather than any change in cricketing judgment. Rohit smashed 138 off 110 balls at Lord’s and it was the first ODI century by an Indian at the ground.
Rohit Sharma's World Cup future remains unclear despite England ODI century
Sharma's future in the Indian ODI team for the upcoming World Cup is still undecided despite his century in the previous match. As per the latest reports, one selector had already taken senior BCCI officials into confidence about moving on from the former Indian captain during the England tour. Even after his hundred, the selectors continue to believe the team will be better without him for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The episode has also raised questions about Ajit Agarkar’s future as chief selector, with some reports suggesting the BCCI could consider a change and look at VVS Laxman for the role.
Agarkar's contract was set to end in June 2026, but he was given a three-month extension by the board. It was expected that the former Indian pacer would get another extension that would keep him as the selector until the conclusion of the 2027 ODI World Cup. The BCCI had also scheduled a review meeting for the eight losses out of ten matches in Ireland and England, but it has not yet taken place so far. Rohit Sharma's place in India’s ODI plans remains uncertain despite the runs he scored in the 3rd ODI against England.
