‘Rohit Sharma will decide his own retirement’: Mohammad Kaif’s strong message after historic century at Lord's

Mohammad Kaif has hailed Rohit Sharma’s ‘timing’. According to the former cricketer, the timing of Hitman’s record-breaking century at Lord’s was perfect.

On 19-20 July, when the world was busy watching Lionel Messi play the World Cup 2026 final, India played the 3rd ODI against England. Rohit Sharma became the first-ever Indian batter to score an ODI century at Lord's.

Batting first, England scored 387/3, the highest ODI total ever at Lord's. India lost by 27 runs, losing the series 1-2. Virat Kohli was batting with Rohit when the latter scored the ton.

“Rohit Sharma is best known for his timing. Too much talk about his place in the team, his age, fitness, and whether he'll last till the 2027 ODI World Cup. And he comes and scores a 100 and gets the highest score by an Indian batter at Lord's. Think twice before you write him off,” Kaif wrote on social media.

In a separate video, Kaif spoke in detail about Rohit Sharma’s situation.

"So, is retirement done? Has everyone been proven wrong? Rohit Sharma will decide his own retirement. He has earned that right. After everything he has done for India, he deserves to choose when he walks away,” Kaid said in the video.

“More than 12,000 runs and 34 centuries. As a captain, India remained unbeaten in white-ball cricket. No one could defeat his team. That's the kind of captain he was. Yet, there has been so much pressure. 'Rohit Sharma, it's over. Retire. Retire,” he said.

“And, under all that pressure, he has become the highest run-scorer at Lord's in this match. No Indian batter scored a century here, but he did,” Kaif added.

Next, Mohammad Kaif asked fans to picture a situation. Suppose Shubman Gill, as a captain, says that he wants Rohit Sharma in the 2027 ODI World Cup team. He says that no one should question Rohit Sharma as everyone is behind him. Hitman will play as long as he wants.

“Right now, Rohit is under the impression that no one is standing by him. Everyone is just waiting for him to fail so they can push him out. Even under that pressure, he has scored a century,” Kaif said.

“Imagine if he knew his team was behind him, his captain was behind him, his coach was behind him, and the BCCI was behind him. He would climb the Himalayas if needed. He would give everything for India. That's the kind of player he is,” he added.

Social media reaction

Social media users have reacted to Kaif’s message for Rohit Sharma.

One of them said, “If he gets the security from the coach and management, he can do wonders and no one can stop him.”

“Answered all the critics with one blasting innings,” replied an Indian cricket fan.

“He is so good, the complete batsman once set. The Indian team still needs him,” wrote another fan.

One fan criticised Gautam Gambhir: “He is pathetic as a coach. I have not seen a single batter improving his technique or performance because of this idiot. Instead, we have been on the losing front because of his ego and stupid strategy.”