BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has dismissed speculation about Rohit Sharma’s ODI future, saying the veteran opener remains firmly in India’s plans for the 2027 World Cup cycle.

The 39-year-old, who retired from Tests in 2025 and T20Is after the 2024 World Cup, now plays only ODIs and joined the squad in Thiruvananthapuram on September 23 ahead of the three-match ODI series against West Indies.

Speaking to JioStar, Rohit said he had shelved retirement chatter and was shaping preparations around the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The BCCI’s position is that a player who keeps scoring – as Rohit did with a hundred in the third ODI in England – should not be judged by age alone, though selection will rest on performance and fitness.

Former coach Ravi Shastri warned critics targeting Rohit and Virat Kohli, noting those pushing them out may have to watch their own positions, citing the outgoing chief selector’s failed move to drop Rohit. Kohli has already said the 2027 World Cup will be his final mega event.