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Former India cricketer and commentator Mohammad Kaif has thrown his weight behind Rohit Sharma amid growing speculation about his international future, insisting that retirement is a personal decision and should not be dictated by public opinion.Rohit recently silenced the critics in emphatic fashion by smashing a historic century at Lord’s during the 3rd ODI against England. His knock of 138 off 110 balls made him the first Indian batsman to score an ODI century at the iconic venue, coming as rumors intensified that Lord’s performance could be his last international before the 2027 ODI World Cup. Those rumors of retirement were earlier dismissed by the BCCI and Rohit himself responded in the best possible way, with the bat.Reacting to the controversy surrounding India’s captaincy, Kaif said that Rohit has continued to perform despite immense external pressure and that he deserves the freedom to decide when to call off his career.“Rohit Sharma’s retirement will be decided by Rohit Sharma himself. He has the right. He has worked so hard for India. He has the right to retire of his own accord. 12,000 runs, 34 centuries – till the time he was captain, he never let India lose. Even today nobody has been able to beat India in white-ball cricket under him. What a captain he was. Yet there is so much pressure on him, with people constantly saying, ‘Rohit Sharma, time to retire.‘Under all that pressure, he became the top scorer at Lord’s. “No other Indian batsman scored a hundred percent in this match, that came from Rohit’s bat,” Kaif said in a video posted on his X account.
Kaif urged the BCCI to support him
Kaif further suggested that public support from the Indian team management and the BCCI could further motivate the veteran opener ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.“Imagine if Shubman Gill, as captain, publicly says, ‘Rohit bhai, I need you for the 2027 World Cup’. Or if the BCCI makes it clear that Rohit will play for India as long as he wants and no one can question him. “That kind of support would make a big difference,” he added. The former India batsman believes that Rohit thrives on the responsibility and trust of those around him.“He is under pressure right now because everyone is waiting for him to fail. But when he knows that his captain, coach and BCCI are firmly behind him, he will even climb the Himalayas to India. I hope people will stop the unnecessary noise and allow Rohit Sharma to play in peace,” Kaif concluded.
England beat India to win the ODI series
India suffered a 27-run defeat at the hands of England in the third and final ODI, conceding the three-match series 2-1 despite struggling centuries and half-centuries from their top order. Chasing a daunting target of 388 runs, captain Rohit Sharma led from the front with a magnificent century while Shubman Gill chipped in with 77 and Virat Kohli a fluent 74.However, the massive target proved too steep as India’s middle and lower order failed to sustain the momentum.
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