Somewhere or the other, there has been a lack of it

Former India cricketer Zaheer Khan remarked that there has been a lack of clarity and understanding behind the team management’s long-term decision-making after Shubman Gill and co. slipped to yet another ODI series defeat. The Men in Blue squandered a 1-0 lead to lose the three-match affair, with the decider at Lord’s resulting in a 27-run loss, on Sunday, July 19.

There was a massive shift in the atmosphere midway through the series after speculation of Rohit Sharma potentially announcing his retirement emerged. The chaos that ensued played a part in the erratic build-up to the series finale, with even the BCCI Secretary being forced to intervene with a statement to quash the rumors.

Apart from the top figures in the BCCI, the likes of batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and captain Shubman Gill had to address what the reports claimed. Amid the unrest and uncertainty, Rohit Sharma stepped up to score a stunning 138 in the final ODI to keep Team India in the run chase after a dismal bowling display.

Zaheer Khan explained that such speculations are detrimental to the integrity of the dressing room and urged the team management to rectify the issue.

“Now, the atmosphere of the dressing room, or the team bonding, or the culture of the team, you do not want the internal matters to be discussed in the media. If speculations are being discussed, it means that things are coming out of the dressing room. So, I think that is an important thing that needs to be addressed. It is important for the team management and the stakeholders to be on the same page,” Zaheer Khan said on Cricbuzz.

“You have to stick to whatever planning you are doing. Whatever decision you take, you have to move ahead with it. The result is not in your hands, but whatever is in your hands, atleast do that well. So, somewhere or the other, there has been a lack of it. So, good and bad days will come for Rohit and Virat, but how much impact they make on their good days, that always matters more,” the former India bowler added.

Team India’s ODI setup is also in a rocky state after their third ODI series loss under Shubman Gill inside a year. The side have already lost to Australia and New Zealand, before claiming a recent home series win against Afghanistan. Since their 2025 Champions Trophy success, they have lost seven out of 15 ODIs.

“Let the noise be there. If there is no noise, there is no fun” – Rohit Sharma addresses speculations after ENG vs IND 2026 3rd ODI

Rohit Sharma shed light on the outside noise that dominated proceedings during the ODI series against England. The Hitman was under pressure after scoring only 37 runs across the first two matches, but stepped up in the series finale in trademark fashion.

“It doesn’t really matter too much, and what matters is what I do on the field. My focus is only to contribute to the success of the team. Let the noise be there. If there is no noise, there is no fun. My job is inside and their job is outside. That’s how I look at it,” Rohit Sharma said in a video released by BCCI after Team India’s ODI series against England.

Given that Team India will be involved in T20Is and Tests for the next couple of months, Rohit Sharma’s next appearance will be during the home ODI series against West Indies in September.