Former fast bowler Ashok Dinda has expressed the importance of Rohit Sharma in India's One Day International (ODI) team. This comes amid reports that claimed the former captain was poised to play his final game for the Men in Blue during the third ODI against England at Lord's.

During the second game of the three-match series, reports started circulating about Rohit's imminent retirement from international cricket. The rumours were based on the right-handed batter's poor showing in the ODI series against England, whilst also struggling in recent times, with 241 runs from eight matches in 2026. 

Despite his shortcomings in recent times, Dinda has put himself firmly in Rohit's corner after revealing his close friendship with the batter. The former quick bowler stated why the Mumbai Indians star holds legendary status in Indian cricket and would be a massive miss if he retires from the game. 

"He is a massive player. We've played quite a few matches together; we practically started our careers for India around the same time. Since then, he has won so many matches for India, set so many records, earned the nickname 'Hitman,' and even won a World Cup. He is a legend. If he retires, I offer him my heartiest congratulations, though India will certainly miss him. I have so many memories with Rohit. We used to play PlayStation together, go shopping, and have dinner together. I even danced at his wedding," Ashok Dinda said to the press. 

Despite the retirement rumours surrounding Rohit, the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Secretary Devajit Saikia denied the claims, stating that the right-handed batter is part of India's immediate future. 

"There are lot of speculations going on in media about Rohit Sharma's future. I want to firmly assert that there has been no such discussion that Rohit will be playing his last match at Lord's on Sunday. Rohit is a regular member of the Indian ODI team and he will continue to represent the country as long as he is in the scheme of things. In other words, Lord's ODI won't be his last match," Saikia said.