Watch: Aakash Chopra says Rohit retirement story was 'Planted'

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has dismissed the speculation that Rohit Sharma will retire after the third ODI against England. Ahead of the series decider at Lord's, Chopra said he does not believe Rohit will end his international career after the match. However, he added that if it does turn out to be Rohit's final ODI, he hopes the veteran opener signs off with a century.

Speaking in a video posted on social media, Chopra questioned the timing and authenticity of the retirement reports. He said, "You had to plant a story," suggesting that the rumours may have been deliberately spread. Chopra also revealed that similar situations had happened during his playing days, where stories were planted around players before important matches. Meanwhile, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has dismissed reports claiming that the Lord's ODI will be Rohit's last international game.

The retirement rumours gained momentum after Rohit Sharma's disappointing performance in the Cardiff ODI. However, there has been no official confirmation from either Rohit Sharma or the BCCI. As India prepare to face England in the final ODI at Lord's on Sunday, the focus will be on Rohit's performance rather than the speculation surrounding his future.

Watch Aakash Chopra's complete reaction in the video below:

Rohit Sharma's retirement buzz grows ahead of IND vs ENG 3rd ODI at Lord's

Rohit Sharma's ODI future has become a major talking point ahead of India's third and final ODI against England at Lord's on July 19. Reports claim the veteran opener could retire from the 50-over format after the match. The speculation has grown stronger after reports suggested that Rohit's parents, Gurunath Sharma and Purnima Sharma, have travelled to London to watch the game. Having already retired from T20Is and Test cricket, reports now suggest Rohit could also bring his ODI career to an end.

Rohit's recent form has also come under the spotlight. He has scored 11 and 26 in the first two ODIs against England after making 48 and 79 during the recent home series against Afghanistan. According to reports, the BCCI selection committee and head coach Gautam Gambhir have informed Rohit that he is no longer part of India's long-term ODI plans. With the team building towards the 2027 ODI World Cup, the management is reportedly preparing to back younger players, including Yashasvi Jaiswal.

If the reports are true, the Lord's ODI will mark the end of one of India's finest white-ball careers. Rohit Sharma led India to the 2023 ODI World Cup final and captained the team to the 2024 T20 World Cup title. Reports also claim that Rohit arranged for his parents to attend the Lord's match after learning about the selectors' decision, making the occasion even more emotional. However, neither Rohit Sharma nor the BCCI has officially confirmed the retirement reports.

"You had to plant a story": What Aakash Chopra actually said

Aakash Chopra questioned the authenticity of the reports linking Rohit Sharma with an ODI retirement after the third match against England. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former India opener suggested that the speculation may have been deliberately created before an important game. He said, "You had to plant a story. This has happened in our team too." Chopra recalled that similar reports used to appear during his playing days, creating an atmosphere around team selections before any official decision was made.

Chopra also spoke about Rohit's place in the team after losing the captaincy. He said that once Shubman Gill was appointed captain, Rohit's selection would naturally depend on his performances. "If you're not the captain, then performance will decide your place. As long as you keep scoring runs, nobody can drop you." However, he added that if a player fails to score and the series goes badly, questions about his future are bound to arise.

The former cricketer urged fans not to believe every report without confirmation. He questioned whether the retirement news was genuine or deliberately leaked. "Is it a scoop, or is it actually a plant? That's the big question we must ask." Chopra said such stories have been part of Indian cricket for years and often create unnecessary speculation. He stressed that only an official statement from the player or the BCCI should be treated as confirmation.

What this means for Rohit Sharma's future and India's World Cup plans

Reports suggest that the third and final ODI against England at Lord's could be Rohit Sharma's last match in India's ODI colours. According to multiple reports, the BCCI selection committee and head coach Gautam Gambhir have informed the veteran opener that he is no longer part of India's long-term plans in the 50-over format. As the team begins preparing for the 2027 ODI World Cup, the management is reportedly looking to build a younger squad, with players like Yashasvi Jaiswal being considered for the future.

According to reports, Rohit wanted to continue playing ODI cricket and had worked on improving his fitness ahead of the England series. However, the selectors are believed to have decided to move in a different direction. A source quoted in the reports said, "The selectors have informed Rohit that he does not figure in their plans after the England tour. They are moving on from him after this series."

The reports also claim that Rohit discussed the matter with BCCI officials during the England tour but was left disappointed by the outcome. While the retirement speculation continues to grow, there has been no official confirmation from Rohit Sharma or the BCCI. Until an official announcement is made, his future remains uncertain, even as India reportedly begins planning for the 2027 ODI World Cup.