The ongoing ODI series between India and West Indies has seen batters rule the roost. In the second game, over 800 runs were scored, and the biggest talking point was Rohit Sharmawho scored a brilliant 101, which was his 35th ton in this format. The right-handed batter also went past 12,000 runs to become the seventh batter to achieve the feat.

Things weren’t so rosy for the 39-year-old just two months ago. During the second India vs England ODI in Cardiff, it was reported that the batter was set to retire after the last game at Lord’s. Rohit, though, chose to swat away such reports with an imperious 138 runs and later called it outside noise.

Ajit Agarkar, who is set to exit as the chairman of selectors on 4th October, had conveyed to the batter that he wasn’t in the plans for the next World Cup.

Former India opener Sadagoppan Ramesh said that the way Agarkar treated Rohit may leave a deep sense of regret.

NDTV quoted the 51-year-old as saying, “Ajit Agarkar was adamant that Rohit shouldn’t be part of the ODI squad next year, which is why his contract wasn’t extended. Rohit, for his part, has proved that age is just a number and has a good amount of fitness, considering he fielded for 50 overs and then batted long to score a ton. Ajit will now be regretting his stance regarding Sharma’s place in the team.”

Ex-opening batter also added, “We have now seen a pattern develop. If Rohit doesn’t score, Virat does, and vice versa. There is healthy competition between the two batters, and both are playing like wounded tigers. There was no surprise when Sharma smashed the century on that wicket against such an attack.”

Ajit Agarkar and Rohit Sharma controversy explained

After winning the 2025 Champions Trophy, Rohit was replaced by Shubman Gill as the new captain of the Test and ODI sides.

Ahead of the Australia tour in 2025, Agarkar said that both Virat Kohli and Rohit were non-committal about playing the next World Cup.

After the retirement reports emerged in England, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia put out a statement backing the senior opener.

During the board meeting in Mumbai, all the key members were available, but Agarkar stayed away. Saikia addressed the veteran batter’s future. “He has scored plenty of runs, and what more do you want? I don’t want to give fodder for rumours.”