look news india
The excitement of the three-match ODI series being played between India and England is at its peak at the moment. Team India suffered a crushing defeat in the second match played at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, after which the series now stands at 1-1. After this defeat, while questions are being raised on the team’s strategies, the most discussed topic remains the form of experienced batsman and captain Rohit Sharma. Rumors are spreading rapidly on social media and media corridors that the third ODI match to be held on July 19, 2026 at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground could be the last match of Rohit Sharma’s international career. Amidst all these speculations and criticisms, Indian team’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has come on the front foot and strongly supported Rohit Sharma.
Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak’s blunt answer: No pressure on a big player like Rohit
In the press conference held after the defeat in the second ODI, Indian team’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak openly expressed his views about Rohit Sharma’s batting and his future. Kotak defended Rohit and said, “I don’t think a player as great and experienced as Rohit Sharma can feel any kind of mental pressure. He is a world-class batsman and knows how to deal with pressure very well. Yes, it is true that in the first two matches of the series, he has not got big innings with his bat, but I don’t think it makes any difference to his height or ability. In the second ODI too, he was looking in very good form and seemed to play a big innings, But he got out unfortunately. This is very common in cricket.”
Returned to the pavilion after a good start in the second ODI: Expecting a big innings in the third match
Rohit Sharma looked very comfortable at the crease in the second ODI match played in Cardiff. Batting carefully, he faced 47 balls and scored 26 runs, but he failed to convert his start into a big score. Earlier, in the first match of the series, where the Indian team was chasing the target of 259 runs, Rohit’s bat remained calm and he was out after scoring only 11 runs in 21 balls. After getting out cheaply in two consecutive matches, now Rohit Sharma’s fans and team management are hopeful that he will return to his old form in the most important match of the series.
The final match will be played at Lord’s: What will be Rohit Sharma’s last ODI?
Rohit Sharma, one of the most destructive and greatest limited overs batsmen of his generation, will definitely be desperate to score runs at this time. Amidst the continuous rumors of his retirement, he will have this great opportunity to prove himself on the historic ground of Lord’s. The third and deciding match of the series against England is to be played on Sunday, 19 July 2026 at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London. Since the trophy of the series is also to be decided along with this match, Rohit Sharma would like to give a happy end to this tour by playing a captaincy innings for the Indian team. Now it will be interesting to see what strategy both the teams take on the field in this great match.