Rohit Sharma has made a name for himself as one of the most prolific batters in Indian cricket history, but when he started playing cricket at a young age, his plans were completely different. The swashbuckling opener Rohit Sharma, who holds the record of the highest-ever individual score in ODI cricket history – 264, also has an IPL hat-trick in his kitty to brag about.
Rohit Sharma achieved the feat with the ball when he used to play at Deccan Chargers, but he still remains the only player in the league history to score a century and claim a hat-trick in the tournament.
The 38-year-old had earlier announced his retirement from T20I cricket following the T20 World Cup triumph in Barbados last year. With the ODI quadrennial spectacle more than two years away and limited 50-over matches for India in the months to come, rumours have sparked over Rohit’s future in the ODI format.
Rohit Sharma’s stellar career in white ball cricket
In 273 ODIs, Rohit has scored 11,168 runs at an average of 48.76, including 32 centuries and 58 fifties. He also holds the unique record of scoring three double centuries in the format. Earlier this month, Rohit was present at The Oval to witness the fifth and final Test against England, which India won by six runs to level the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2.
Rohit amassed 4,301 runs from 67 Tests at an average of 40.57, including hitting 12 centuries and 18 fifties. Rohit also led India in 24 Tests, winning 12 and losing nine games. Rohit averaged a wonderful 42.81 in 66 innings as an opener in Tests, including hitting nine centuries and eight fifties. He also oversaw India becoming runners-up in the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final after losing to Australia at The Oval.
Until a couple of days ago, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli looked certain to maintain their place in the ODI setup. However, according to a report in Dainik Jagran, the murmurs about their future have already gained steam. It stated that the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia in October might be Rohit Sharma’s last swansong in Indian cricket.
BCCI demand’s Rohit Sharma to play Vijay Hazare Trophy to prove their relevance in white ball format
Rohit Sharma’s last VHT game was much more recent than Virat Kohli’s – in 2018, when he scored 24 in the semi-final against Hyderabad for Mumbai.
The BCCI’s VHT demand could stem from its reprioritisation of domestic cricket. Earlier this year, after India’s 1-3 defeat against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the BCCI made it mandatory for all centrally-contracted players to be available for their states for domestic cricket in order to be available for national selection.
The Jagran report stated that the BCCI is focused on grooming young talent for the upcoming marquee 50-over tournament, with preparations already in full swing. If Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli indeed turn up, it’ll be nothing new. In January 2025, both players represented their state teams in the Ranji Trophy, following a BCCI mandate. The 10-point directive urged all players to return to domestic red-ball cricket to regain form.
Now, the BCCI is reportedly considering Rohit Sharma to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy has irked his childhood coach Dinesh Lad who wishes to see Rohit Sharma play the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.
Rohit Sharma should definitely play 2027 ODI World Cup- Dinesh Lad
Rohit Sharma’s childhood coach Dinesh Lad believes that the opening batter should participate in the 2027 ODI World Cup, set to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in October and November 2027. Rohit, who led India to the Champions Trophy victory earlier this year, retired from Test cricket in May ahead of the England tour. The 38-year-old had previously announced his retirement from T20I cricket after the T20 World Cup win in Barbados last year.
With the ODI World Cup more than two years away and limited 50-over matches for India in the near future, speculation has arisen about Rohit’s future in the ODI format.
The veteran coach highlighted Rohit’s omission from the 2011 ODI World Cup and emphasised that the right-handed batter still possesses the “hunger and determination” to contribute to the country.
“Rohit Sharma should definitely play in the 2027 ODI World Cup. Winning the trophy has always been his dream, and he missed out on being part of the victorious 2011 squad,” Lad was quoted as saying to IANS.
However, Lad expressed uncertainty about Rohit’s future as a leader but supported his inclusion in the next ODI World Cup.
“Whether he leads the team or not is for the BCCI and selectors to decide, but he still has the hunger and determination, should be part of the 2027 World Cup squad,” he added.
After the series against South Africa, India’s next ODI assignment is against New Zealand, beginning January 11 next year. The Vijay Hazare Trophy is scheduled before it as the tournament will be played from 24 December to January 18. Mumbai are in Group C in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, while Delhi are in Group E. Seven group stage games are scheduled before the series against New Zealand begins on January 11, and this stage will conclude on January 8, 2026.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli can potentially play seven group stage matches of the VHT. However, this is not realistic as the squad for the New Zealand series is likely to be announced late December or early January. If they are named in the ODI squad, then all seven games go out of the equation. And if by any chance, they aren’t, then one doesn’t know whether Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma would see it fit to play the entire tournament to get back in the reckoning despite being world-beaters in the ODI format.
After the ODIs against New Zealand, India are slated to take on England in the three-match ODI series in July 2026. After the IPL, of course. Plenty can change in the next year or so, but as of now, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy seems bleak, considering their stature and the nature of India’s schedule.
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