Rohit Sharma dropped as India’s ODI opener after Lord’s ODI: What’s next?

Rohit Sharma has been axed as India’s automatic ODI opener after a dismal Lord’s ODI on Sunday. The 39-year-old’s last match could be his final appearance for the team.

What happened?

Rohit Sharma trudged back to the pavilion after a rusty 26 off 47 balls in the second ODI against England in Cardiff on Thursday. The selectors have now decided he will no longer be the first-choice opener after the series ends at Lord’s. India were bowled out for 233, with Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer scoring 65 and 66 respectively as England’s pacers exploited India’s struggles with bounce.

Why it matters for Rohit Sharma

The team management and selectors wanted to give Yashasvi Jaiswal a full run ahead of the ODI World Cup in South Africa in October-November 2027. Rohit was given another chance to rediscover his form, but his sedate approach since the Champions Trophy in March 2025 has frustrated the management. They feel he needs three games to find his rhythm and have conveyed their concerns to the BCCI.

What the selectors said

A BCCI source told TOI that the selectors had made up their minds to drop Rohit after the ODI series against Afghanistan last month. Rohit declined to rest for the third ODI in Chennai to give Jaiswal a look-in, forcing Shubman Gill to bat at No. 3. The management has been unhappy with Rohit’s performances since Gill replaced him as ODI captain after the Champions Trophy win in March 2025.

What comes next?

Rohit’s future now hinges on talks with the board. The selectors have made their stance clear, but the power centres in the BCCI may yet intervene. Rohit has played just two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches last season, including one against Sikkim, and the management feels he needs more domestic cricket to rediscover his touch. The decision on his final match could come after Sunday’s Lord’s ODI.