Shubman Gill breaks silence on Rohit Sharma retirement rumours; raises fitness concerns after series loss

India captain Shubman Gill has dismissed speculation surrounding Rohit Sharma’s ODI future, insisting there has been “no such discussion” within the dressing room, while also calling for a significant improvement in the team’s fitness after England sealed the three-match ODI series 2-1.

Rumours had gathered pace ahead of the third ODI at Lord’s that the veteran opener could announce his retirement after the series finale. Instead, Rohit silenced the speculation with a magnificent 138, nearly guiding India to a record chase of 388 before England prevailed by 27 runs.

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Gill dismisses Rohit’s retirement rumours

Speaking after the defeat, Gill said neither Rohit nor anyone in the Indian camp had discussed retirement.

“He’s not told us anything. I think it’s all out in the media, but there’s not been any discussion like that in the team,” Gill said.

The India skipper was full of praise for Rohit’s innings, describing the former captain’s ability to pace the chase as a masterclass.

Rohit smashed 17 fours and five sixes during his 110-ball 138 while sharing a 147-run opening stand with Gill that briefly put India in control of the chase.

“The way Rohit bhai paced his innings was outstanding. Most of the time, I was at the non-striker’s end just watching him bat,” Gill said.

“Our discussions were mainly about keeping wickets in hand because that was the only way we could chase such a big total. Once he got into the 60s and 70s, it was truly a treat to watch.”

With India’s next major ODI assignment being the 2027 World Cup, Gill’s remarks indicate there is no immediate expectation within the squad that Rohit is preparing to step away.

‘We’re missing a trick’: Gill raises fitness concerns

While backing Rohit, Gill also admitted India’s growing injury list has become a major concern.

The visitors were without Jasprit Bumrah for the series decider after the pace spearhead sustained an impact injury, while Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy were among several players unavailable because of fitness issues.

Gill said India’s inability to keep its first-choice players fit has repeatedly forced changes in team combinations.

“If you look at the first squad that we announced, at least five of the players did not play today. When one player gets injured, you have to play a different combination. If two are injured, you play a different combination. Somewhere we are missing a trick.”

Looking ahead to the 2027 ODI World Cup, Gill stressed that India must improve their physical conditioning if they hope to compete consistently.

“Keeping the World Cup in mind, we have to play eleven matches in a row. Here the players are unable to finish a series of two or three matches. Somewhere as a group, we need to improve our fitness.”

Gill explains team selection and reflects on series defeat

Gill also defended India’s decision to field only one frontline spinner, saying the conditions in Birmingham and Cardiff offered little assistance to slow bowlers.

“Whenever the fast bowlers were bowling, it felt like something was happening. That was the thought process behind not playing an extra spinner.”

Despite losing the series, the skipper believed India remained competitive for large parts of both defeats but admitted the team needed to sustain that level for longer.

“Both the matches that we have lost, we were in the game for the majority of the game. It’s all about how long we can stay consistently in the game.”

The 2-1 series defeat leaves India with plenty to address, from recurring injury concerns to bowling combinations, even as Gill sought to put an end to speculation over Rohit Sharma’s immediate ODI future.