Former India head coach and commentator Ravi Shastri has backed Rohit Sharma amid retirement speculation, urging the team management to allow the veteran opener to continue playing for as long as he wants following his historic century at Lord’s.Rohit silenced his critics in emphatic fashion by smashing a magnificent 138 off 110 balls in the third ODI against England at the Home of Cricket. The innings saw him become the first Indian batter to score an ODI century at Lord’s, coming at a time when speculation was rife that the match could be his final international appearance before the 2027 ODI World Cup.The retirement rumours had earlier been dismissed by the BCCI, and Rohit responded in the best possible way, with a record-breaking knock.
‘Rohit didn’t need to prove’ – Ravi Shastri
Reacting to the veteran batter’s performance, Shastri said Rohit has nothing left to prove and should be allowed to decide the timing of his own retirement.“He (Rohit Sharma) didn’t need to prove himself, but he has shut up everybody. When you get those kinds of rumours floating around, it is sometimes irritating. When a player has done that much, he doesn’t have to prove anyone anything. But if he has the desire to play, work hard at his game, and is still enjoying it, I think he should be given the opportunity for as long as he wants. The day will come when he feels he doesn’t have it in him anymore, and he’ll go,” Shastri told Sky Cricket.
‘My job is to bat’ – Rohit Sharma
Rohit’s innings was his 34th ODI century and his maiden hundred at Lord’s. Despite his heroics, India fell 27 runs short in their chase of 388, handing England a 2-1 ODI series victory.Speaking to bcci.tv after the match, Rohit made it clear that external criticism has never affected his mindset, insisting his only focus is helping India succeed.“Look, my job is with the bat, to come out, play, represent my country and represent the team. That’s what I’ve been told to do since I made my debut, and that’s what I’m going to continue doing. The noise has been there since I made my debut, and it will remain for as long as I play. It doesn’t really matter too much. What matters is what I do on the field and how I contribute to the success of the team,” Rohit said.
