BCCI Supports Rohit Sharma Amid Retirement Speculations Ahead of 2027 ODI World Cup

In a recent meeting, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia expressed unwavering support for Rohit Sharma, dismissing retirement rumors and highlighting his impressive performance against England. As Sharma approaches 40, questions about his participation in the 2027 ODI World Cup arise. Saikia clarified that the meeting focused on team performance and future strategies, emphasizing the importance of finalizing the best team combination ahead of the World Cup. With several series lined up, including the IPL, the BCCI is committed to ensuring a strong showing in the upcoming tournament. Read on to discover more about Sharma's journey and the BCCI's plans.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 4, 2026, 00:07 IST

BCCI's Confidence in Rohit Sharma

In a recent review meeting held in Mumbai, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Devajit Saikia expressed strong support for former captain Rohit Sharma. He highlighted Sharma's impressive performance, particularly his remarkable 138-run innings against England, while dismissing rumors regarding the veteran player's potential retirement.

Saikia emphasized that he did not wish to contribute to the ongoing speculation surrounding Sharma's future, especially as the seasoned player approaches the age of 40. Currently focusing solely on One Day Internationals (ODIs), Sharma had a successful series against England in July, despite India losing the three-match ODI series 2-1.

Saikia remarked, "He has been performing excellently in all matches, so what more do you want? He scored 138 runs in the last game, so why the speculation? I don’t want to give any more fodder to the speculators."

Despite ongoing doubts about whether the 39-year-old can participate in the 2027 World Cup due to his age, Sharma continues to silence critics with his strong performances.

During the England tour, there were rumors that the third ODI at Lord's might be his final international appearance, especially after his retirement from T20Is and Tests. However, with a stunning 138 runs in a chase of 388, the 'Hitman' demonstrated that he is far from finished.

Sharma concluded the ODI series against England with a total of 175 runs across three matches, averaging 58.33 and boasting a strike rate of 98.31, including a century with his explosive 138 off 110 balls, featuring 17 fours and five sixes, despite India losing the match by 27 runs.

Saikia clarified that the recent meeting was not a selection meeting but rather a routine discussion involving key figures such as T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, head coach Gautam Gambhir, Centre of Excellence head VVS Laxman, and Shubman Gill.

The discussions focused on reviewing the team's performances in England and Ireland while laying out a strategic plan for the upcoming year, particularly in preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

"Today, we did not conduct a selection meeting. It was a regular meeting, similar to those held every few months. We reviewed the performances with our head coach, VVS Laxman, who leads cricket at the Centre of Excellence, along with our T20 captain Shreyas and our Test and ODI captain Shubman," Saikia explained.

"We evaluated how the team fared in England and Ireland, and we also outlined what needs to be done in the coming year. A roadmap has been established, and we will engage in various exercises and preparations to ensure a strong performance in the 2027 World Cup," he added.

Saikia also highlighted that the BCCI has already mapped out India's preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup, which includes several bilateral series and the Indian Premier League (IPL) leading up to the tournament.

He stressed the importance of finalizing the best team combination by next year, stating, "We have considered our path forward regarding team preparation. Numerous series are on the horizon, starting with the Afghanistan series, followed by the West Indies ODI and T20I series. Then, we have a significant series against New Zealand, likely followed by another series against Zimbabwe. After that, we will face Australia in a five-Test series, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and then the IPL."

"Thus, we need to plan for all these series. Our primary goal is to have the best possible team combination ready by next year for the ODI World Cup," he concluded.