The end may not be Rohit's to script

Whether or not Rohit Sharma hangs up his bat after the Lord's ODI on Sunday (July 19), it will not be entirely by his own volition. Given a choice, the only ODI batter with multiple double hundreds would want to continue playing and pursuing his dream of winning the 2027 World Cup for the country, but he is neither in control of his career anymore nor the master of the narrative around him currently.

The latest talk surrounding Rohit's retirement suggests that some kind of discussions may have taken place about his international future, particularly so because of his dwindling returns with the bat. Just 241 runs in eight innings at an average of 30.12 and a strike rate of 88.60, with only one half-century, do not necessarily inspire confidence among the selectors and the team management.

Juxtapose those numbers with Yashasvi Jaiswal's, who has almost as many runs (230) in just three games. There is surely some cricketing logic in the reported thinking of the selectors and the team management that Jaiswal cannot be kept out for too long, particularly with the team preparing for the 2027 World Cup. But the question is: can both be in the squad, with Rohit as the third opener behind Jaiswal and Shubman Gill?

Multiple sources have told Cricketlineguruji that discussions between Rohit and the selectors is not a recent development. It took place some time ago with head coach Gautam Gambhir also in the loop. Sources further revealed that Rohit was in no mood to relent. He is also understood to have spoken to officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) about the matter.

Those close to Rohit reveal that he has never hidden his desire to play in the 2027 World Cup. In fact, he had told them that it was his dream to play in the quadrennial event in Africa next year. In that context, the latest developments are intriguing. Two different versions have emerged from different sources.

One section says Rohit is in no mood to throw in the towel and wants to continue pursuing his dream. Another says he is troubled by the attitude of the selectors and head coach and may eventually give up, with the personal consolation that he would not be blocking a youngster's prospects. Whether or not the Lord's ODI turns out to be his final international match, it may not be entirely his choice. Such an exit would be a sad end for one of the country's finest ODI batters, who was stripped of the captaincy after leading India to the Champions Trophy title.

Meanwhile, even as the narrative around Rohit's future kept changing, the BCCI, apparently, was not pleased that the information had leaked. It is believed to have sent out a note to the selectors, asking them not to speak to the media in any manner. But then again, this may just be speculation - much like the talk around Rohit's retirement. Or perhaps all of it is true.