Rohit Sharma earned the right to retire on his own terms, says Mohammad Kaif
Synopsis
Mohammad Kaif's defence of Rohit Sharma after his landmark 138 at Lord's cuts to the heart of a wider debate: can a 39-year-old with 12,000 runs and 34 centuries still command a place in India's 2027 World Cup plans? Kaif says yes — and argues that institutional silence, not form, is Rohit's biggest obstacle right now.
Key Takeaways
Mohammad Kaif backed Rohit Sharma on 20 July , saying the veteran has earned the right to decide his own retirement.
Rohit scored 138 at Lord's — the first ODI century by an Indian batter at the ground — in the series decider against England.
He built partnerships of 147 with Shubman Gill (77) and 113 with Virat Kohli (74) , but India lost by 27 runs and the series 2-1 .
Kaif cited Rohit's record of 12,000 runs and 34 centuries and argued he is the highest run-getter as a batter at Lord's.
Kaif called on the BCCI , captain Gill , and the coaching staff to publicly back Rohit ahead of the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup .
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif on Monday, 20 July strongly backed veteran opener Rohit Sharma, asserting that the 39-year-old has earned the right to decide on his retirement on his own terms — a statement that came after Rohit silenced his critics with a commanding 138 at Lord's in the ODI series decider against England.
Rohit's Landmark Knock at Lord's
Coming into the match amid swirling speculation over his international future and his prospects of featuring in the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup, Rohit produced a vintage performance to register the first ODI century by an Indian batter at Lord's. He anchored crucial partnerships of 147 runs with skipper Shubman Gill (77) and 113 runs with Virat Kohli (74). Despite his heroics, India fell short by 27 runs, suffering a 2-1 series defeat.
What Kaif Said
Kaif, speaking in a video posted on his X account, was unequivocal in his defence of Rohit. 'Rohit Sharma's retirement will be decided by Rohit Sharma himself. He has the right. He has worked so hard for India. He has the right to retire of his own will. 12,000 runs, 34 centuries — till the time he was the captain, he never let India lose,' Kaif said.
He further pointed to the irony of Rohit producing a landmark century under immense external pressure. 'Under that pressure, he is the highest run-getter as a batsman at Lord's. No one else scored a century; I am talking about Indian batsmen. The century came from his bat in this match at Lord's,' Kaif added.
The Isolation Rohit Faces
Kaif suggested that Rohit is currently battling a perception of isolation, with critics seemingly waiting for a failure to force him out. He argued that institutional backing from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), captain Gill, and the coaching staff could transform Rohit's output entirely.
'Now imagine, suppose Shubman Gill says this, Shubman Gill as a captain, 'Rohit bhai, I need you in the 2027 World Cup'. If he comes and gives such a statement... and if the BCCI says that no one should raise a finger at Rohit Sharma... we stand with him, and he will play for as long as he wants,' Kaif said.
A Call for Support
Kaif concluded with a pointed appeal to fans, selectors, and team management alike. 'Right now, he is under pressure because no one is standing with him. Everyone is waiting for him to be out. Under that pressure, he has been challenged. When he realises that his team, captain, and coach are standing with him, he will even scale the Himalayas and give it all his might for India,' he said. The remarks reflect a broader debate in Indian cricket circles over how long Rohit can — and should — continue in the white-ball format ahead of the next World Cup cycle.
Point of View
And Kaif is essentially calling it out. A 138 at Lord's under existential pressure is not the innings of a spent force; it is the innings of a player who needs backing, not eulogies. The real question is whether India's selectors are making a cricketing judgement or a generational one — and whether those two things are being conflated.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mohammad Kaif say about Rohit Sharma's retirement?
Mohammad Kaif said on 20 July that Rohit Sharma's retirement should be decided by Rohit himself, citing his 12,000 runs and 34 centuries as proof that he has earned that right. Kaif made the remarks in a video posted on his X account after Rohit scored 138 in the ODI series decider at Lord's.
What did Rohit Sharma score at Lord's in the ODI series decider?
Rohit Sharma scored 138 at Lord's, becoming the first Indian batter to score an ODI century at the ground. Despite the knock and partnerships of 147 with Shubman Gill and 113 with Virat Kohli, India lost by 27 runs and the series 2-1.
Is Rohit Sharma in contention for the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup?
Rohit's place in India's 2027 World Cup plans has been the subject of speculation, which his Lord's century sought to address. Mohammad Kaif called on BCCI and captain Shubman Gill to publicly back Rohit and confirm his importance to the squad.
Why does Kaif say Rohit is under pressure?
Kaif argued that Rohit is facing a perception of isolation, with critics waiting for him to fail rather than backing him. He said that public support from the BCCI, the captain, and the coaching staff would unlock Rohit's full potential ahead of the next World Cup.
What is Rohit Sharma's record at Lord's?
According to Mohammad Kaif, Rohit Sharma is the highest run-getter among Indian batters at Lord's. His 138 in the 20 July ODI was the first ODI century by an Indian batter at the iconic ground.
