Indian cricket icon Rohit Sharma came to Lord’s under tremendous pressure. Rumors were rife that the game on 19th July would be his last. It was also said that the selectors told the player he didn’t figure in their plans. Moreover, his dreams of playing in the 2027 ODI World Cup were hanging by a thread.

All those talks were laid to rest when the veteran batter scored his 34th ODI ton against England and ended up with 138. The 110 deliveries had vintage Hitman written all over it as he cut, pulled, and drove with aplomb. When the knock was finally over, the batter was given a standing ovation on a warm Sunday evening by fans.

Rohit spoke to the BCCI after the game and made a poignant statement.

“My job is with the bat. I come to play to represent my country. That’s what I have been doing and told to do since my debut. I will continue to do so.” With that statement, he put all rumors about his retirement to rest once and for all.

The star batter also said, “Noise has been there since my debut. Till the time I am here, the noise will be there. It doesn’t matter to me. What matters to me is my contributions on the field. I want to contribute more towards the team’s success, which has been my focus. If there is no noise, there is no fun.

My job is on the ground, and theirs is outside. That’s how one has to look at it.”

When do India play ODI cricket next?

The Indian cricket team will be seen playing a T20I series in Zimbabwe next, which starts this Thursday. Shreyas Iyer’s side would play three games and aim to end their losing run in this format. A two-match Test series will follow this in Sri Lanka, where key World Test Championship points will be up for grabs.

Rohit and Virat Kohli will next be seen in the national colors at home against the West Indies. The three-match series kicks off on 27th September, followed by five games in New Zealand, three at home against the Lankans in late December. Three more ODI matches will be played against Zimbabwe in early 2027. This will be the first time since 2002 that the African side will compete in a bilateral series on Indian shores.