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Rohit Sharma again proved, sort of  why he still stays one of India’s real match winners. The ex India captain basically put those retirement rumours away with a ridiculous century in the third and last ODI against England at Lord’s, doing it after a spell where he got heavily questioned about his recent form.

After Rohit’s brilliant knock, his childhood coach, Dinesh Lad, came forward with the biggest reason for why Rohit hasn’t chosen to step back from international cricket. Lad said that Rohit has one big unfinished objective to chase, so retirement is not really in his head, not right now.

Before that third and final ODI at Lord’s, there were reports going around that Rohit Sharma might announce retirement from international cricket after the England series. But Rohit answered it the most effective way possible, with the bat. He piled up an amazing 138 off 110 balls, hitting 17 fours and five sixes too. At the same time, KL Rahul’s batting demotion also turned into a talking point, as one former India cricketer labelled it an “absolute waste,” without holding back.\

It was, honestly one of the finest innings of Rohit’s ODI career and sort of showed that he can still win matches for India, specially when it’s high pressure. After the game Dinesh Lad said that he spoke to Rohit just two days before the final ODI at Lord’s.

Lad told Rohit he wanted to see him play for India in the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup, and he also felt Rohit would stay a key part of the national team. He added that Rohit’s century, was a clear reflection of his batting quality. The coach praised how Rohit handled the pressure well, how he built his innings with patience, and how he leaned on his wide experience to keep India right in the chase.

Rohit’s childhood coach also said he didn’t really give much attention to the recent retirement rumours. And when talking about the century at Lord’s, Lad explained that the way Rohit paced things, and then constructed his innings, showed his experience, his cool head, and his class. In his view Rohit has again proved that he is a strong contender to represent India at the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Dinesh Lad Said: “Two days ago, I spoke to him. I told him that I want to see him playing in the 2027 ODI World Cup, and I was confident that he would be there. Today, he showed everyone what he is capable of. There has been a lot of criticism that Rohit Sharma should retire, that he has done enough and that his time is over. I never agreed with that criticism. I always believed in his ability, and today he answered all his critics with his performance. Critics will always continue to criticise, but such things do not affect him. He remains focused on his cricket and on contributing to the team.”

Read also: "I Think He Should" - Ravi Shastri Sends Clear Message on Rohit Sharma's World Cup Future

Lad also revealed the main reason why Rohit Sharma wants to keep playing ODI cricket. He said Rohit still carries that disappointment about being away from India’s 2011 World Cup-winning squad. And the hurt from India’s defeat to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, in Ahmedabad, also stays pretty fresh in his mind.  

As per Lad, Rohit’s biggest desire is still to win the ODI World Cup for India. He feels Rohit has the appetite, skill, and know-how to deliver when it matters most, and Lad hopes to see him play in the 2027 ODI World Cup too. Lad added that, even if Rohit already has the T20 World Cup and the Champions Trophy in his cabinet, he wants to finish the trip by raising the ODI World Cup trophy before he calls it quits.