MUMBAI: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri said Rohit Sharma answered speculation over his international future in the best possible way with his century against England at Lord’s, while former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said the veteran opener still has nothing left to prove.
Retirement speculation intensified before Sunday’s third One-Day International against England, with reports suggesting it could be Rohit’s final appearance for India.
The 39-year-old responded by scoring a commanding 138 off 110 balls, his first ODI century at Lord’s, although India lost the match and the three-match series 2-1.
Watching the opening match of The Hundred at The Oval on Tuesday, Rohit received praise from Shastri, who referenced the debate surrounding the opener’s future.
“There was a lot of noise before that last one-day international, and then a reply — a nice, tight slap with the bat,” Shastri said during commentary.
“138. His first hundred at Lord’s.”
Rohit had dismissed retirement speculation after the match, saying his focus remained solely on representing India.
“My job is with the bat, come and play, represent my country, represent my team,” he said in an interview published by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
“What matters is what I do on the field, try and contribute to the success of the team. That’s all my focus is right now.”
Ashwin also defended Rohit and former captain Virat Kohli, saying their achievements had earned them the right to decide when to step away.
“They cannot touch Virat and Rohit if they want to play. It is because of their credentials,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Speaking specifically about Rohit, Ashwin said the opener’s motivation came from his desire to play at next year’s ODI World Cup rather than from outside criticism.
“There’s nothing left to prove. Whom does he have to prove?” Ashwin said.
“It is only about the internal appetite: ‘I want to go to the World Cup, that’s why I need to play like this.'”
