Rohit shuts retirement talk after Lord's ODI ton
Live Events Record-breaking knock at Lord's Selectors' speculation dismissed Focus shifts to the future as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Addas a Reliable and
Live Events Record-breaking knock at Lord's Selectors' speculation dismissed Focus shifts to the future as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Addas a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel captain Rohit Sharma has put an end to speculation over his international future, making it clear that retirement is not on his mind after a record-breaking century against England at Lord's on Sunday. In a post-match interview with the BCCI, the former India captain addressed the noise surrounding his career after smashing 138 off 110 balls to become the first Indian batter to score an ODI century at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground.Questions over Rohit's future had intensified in the lead-up to the match, with reports suggesting the Lord's ODI could be his final appearance for India in the format. Instead, the 39-year-old responded with one of the finest innings of his ODI career before making his stance clear in a post-match interaction with the BCCI."My job is with the bat.
Come and play, represent my country. That's what I have been told to do since I made my debut. That's what I am going to do," Sharma said."Since I made my debut, the noise was there. Till the time, I am going to be there, the noise will be there. Doesn't matter to me. What matters is what I do on the field. I want to try and contribute to the success of the team. That's all my focus is."The experienced opener said external criticism and constant speculation have never distracted him from his primary responsibility of performing for India."If there is no noise, there is no fun," Sharma said."My job is inside. Their job is outside. That's how I look at it."Rohit's comments came after a memorable innings in India's pursuit of a daunting 388-run target. He struck 17 fours and five sixes during his 138-run knock, rewriting the record books by becoming the first Indian to register an ODI century at Lord's.The opener laid the foundation for India's chase with a 147-run opening stand alongside Shubman Gill before adding 113 runs with Virat Kohli.
Despite Rohit's effort, India finished on 360/7 to lose by 27 runs.While the result went England's way, Rohit's innings shifted the conversation from his future to his continued value at the top of India's batting order.Ahead of the match, reports had claimed the selectors were preparing to move on from Rohit and that he would not feature in India's upcoming ODI assignments. However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia rejected those claims on the eve of the Lord's fixture, saying it would not be Rohit's final ODI.India captain Shubman Gill also dismissed suggestions that Rohit's retirement had been discussed within the dressing room."He's not told us anything," Gill told reporters."I think it's all out in the media, but there's not been any discussion like that in the team. The way Rohit bhai paced his innings was outstanding. Most of the time, I was at the non-striker's end just watching him bat. It was truly a treat to watch."Although Rohit's century has eased immediate questions over his place in the side, competition for opening spots remains strong.
The BriefWire