Rohit Sharma’s place in India’s plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup continues to generate debate, but former Australia opener Matthew Hayden believes the decision over how long the veteran batter wants to continue will ultimately rest with Rohit himself. Rohit, now retired from Test and T20I cricket, is exclusively playing ODIs for India. Hayden feels the 39-year-old will have to assess whether he still possesses the hunger, energy and motivation required to handle the demands of international cricket alongside the Indian Premier League.
Speaking to ANI, Hayden said the retirement debate is something every veteran eventually faces and stressed that there is no definitive answer other than the player himself knowing when it is time to stop. "Look, when you get to the age Rohit is at, you start facing those questions. Before him, it was Virat, and before that, it was Gautam Gambhir. It just goes on and on. You can't play this beautiful game forever. When you reach that stage of your career, you're inevitably asked whether it will be the IPL or international cricket that goes first. Rohit has already retired from Test cricket, so ultimately, only he can know whether he still fights a lion to keep charging through what is an incredibly demanding schedule. You need a young man's energy to compete at the very highest level. So, in the end, it will be entirely his call," Hayden told ANI. Rohit has, however, continued to provide evidence that age alone should not determine his international future. Questions about his prospects of making the 2027 World Cup squad intensified because of his age, particularly after he had already walked away from two formats. The speculation reached another level during India's ODI tour of England, with reports suggesting that the third ODI at Lord's could potentially be his final appearance for the country. Instead, Rohit produced one of the standout performances of the series. Chasing 388 in the series decider, the former India captain smashed 138 from just 110 balls, striking 17 fours and five sixes. His innings helped him silence much of the speculation surrounding his future, although India eventually fell short by 27 runs. Rohit finished the three-match series with 175 runs at an average of 58.33 and a strike rate of 98.31. His performance in the chase was made even more memorable by his partnership with long-time India teammate Virat Kohli, who contributed 74 from 60 balls, including four fours and three sixes. Despite their efforts, India lost the series 2-1. Rohit remains one of the most prolific ODI batters in the history of the format. He has scored 11,895 runs in 288 matches and 280 innings at an average of 48.95 and a strike rate of 93.04. His ODI record includes 34 centuries and 62 fifties, with his highest score being 264. He currently sits seventh on the all-time ODI run-scoring list and is India's third-highest run-getter in the format, behind Virat Kohli's 14,941 runs and Sachin Tendulkar's 18,426. Even in 2026, Rohit has continued to contribute significantly. In nine ODIs this year, he has accumulated 379 runs in nine innings at an average of 42.11, with one hundred and one fifty. His highest score remains the 138 he made against England. With the 2027 World Cup set to be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, Rohit’s future will remain under scrutiny. But Hayden's view is clear: if the veteran still has the desire and physical capacity to meet the demands of international cricket, the final decision should belong to him.
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