Indian cricket faced a turbulent 72 hours as constant speculations about Rohit Sharma’s future were played out in the media. It was reported on Thursday that the batter could play his last game for India on Sunday. In the end, such claims fell flat as the veteran star notched up a brilliant hundred at Lord’s.

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif took to his Instagram handle and called out such rumors. The 45-year-old said, “Did he take retirement? Left with egg on your face? Rohit will decide when he has to retire. He has earned that right. He has done a lot for the country, and he has earned the right to decide his own fate. He is one of our finest white-ball batters and, in his captaincy days, never let the side lose a game, and he scored a century at Lord’s after all the pressure was put on him to call it a day.”

Earlier during the game, Kaif’s friend and former teammate, Yuvraj Singh, was seen speaking about Rohit’s and Virat Kohli’s future.

The 44-year-old used his own example and said, “I have been in that position, which Rohit and Virat find themselves in. So, it’s not fair for us to judge whether they should play. It’s the team management, the coach and the selectors who have to decide that.

“If you want them to play the World Cup, you have to put your hand on their shoulders and tell them, ‘Guys, we want you to play the World Cup.

We are backing you all the way. Go out there and be yourselves. You need to have that clarity from the coach, captain and selectors, whoever it is.”

Ex-India star wants Rohit to be backed more

On his Instagram handle, Kaif added, “If Shubman  Gill says he needs Rohit in the World Cup in front of the media, also tells BCCI that don’t point any more fingers at the player, we are standing with him and let him play however long he wants, if such a statement comes, then think how freely Sharma will play and perform.

“Right now he is under pressure because no one is standing with him. It almost looks like people want him to fail and be shown the exit door. In such a scenario, this century was scored. Once he realizes that the entire team, captain and coach as well as the BCCI is standing with him, there is no mountain he cannot climb. Rohit is such a player who will sacrifice his life. Let him play with peace.”