Rohit Sharma smashes century at Lord's, silences retirement talk ahead of 2027 World Cup

Rohit Sharma slammed a 138 off 110 balls at Lord's on 18 June, becoming the first Indian batter to score an ODI century at the iconic venue. The knock silenced retirement rumours just days after England clinched the three-match ODI series 2-1.

What happened at Lord's?

India suffered a 27-run defeat to England in the third and final ODI on 18 June, conceding the series despite Rohit Sharma's century. His 138 came under intense scrutiny, with whispers that the Lord's fixture could be his last before the 2027 ODI World Cup. The BCCI had earlier dismissed retirement talk, and Rohit responded with bat in hand.

Shubman Gill hit 77 and Virat Kohli made 74, but England's 388-run target proved too steep. India's middle and lower order collapsed after the top order fight, handing England the series win.

Why Kaif backs Rohit Sharma's retirement call

Mohammad Kaif, the former India batter and commentator, backed Rohit's right to decide his own retirement. In a video posted on X, Kaif said Rohit has earned the freedom to call time on his career whenever he chooses.

Kaif pointed to Rohit's record: 12,000 runs and 34 centuries, plus a flawless white-ball captaincy that never saw India lose. Yet the pressure to retire has grown louder. Rohit's Lord's century, the first by an Indian at the ground, proved his critics wrong.

What Kaif wants from BCCI and Gill

Kaif urged the BCCI and India's captain Shubman Gill to publicly back Rohit ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. He suggested a simple message: 'Rohit bhai, we need you for the next World Cup.'

Such support, Kaif argued, would lift the weight on Rohit's shoulders. He believes Rohit thrives on responsibility and confidence from his team. 'When he knows his captain, coach and the BCCI are behind him, he will even scale the Himalayas for India,' Kaif said.

What comes next for Rohit Sharma?

Rohit's future remains his call, but the timing couldn't be better. His Lord's heroics arrived as speculation peaked, and his form gives India a clear reason to keep him in the 2027 ODI squad.

England's series win exposed India's top-order depth, but Rohit's leadership and batting set the tone. If the board and new captain Gill rally behind him, Rohit could yet play a starring role in the next World Cup cycle.