[WATCH] ENG vs IND 2026: Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir share laughs as retirement rumours are quashed

Indian captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir were seen sharing a light-hearted moment ahead of the third and final ODI against England at Lord's, with the series evenly poised at 1-1. Their cheerful interaction came amid widespread speculation that the veteran opener could announce his retirement from international cricket after the series decider.

However, the rumours were dismissed by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who clarified that there was no truth to the reports and reiterated that Rohit's focus remains firmly on the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Rohit has endured a difficult run with the bat in recent months. Apart from a half-century in the ODI series against Afghanistan, he has struggled for consistency and managed fewer than 50 runs across the first two ODIs against England.

Despite the outside noise surrounding his future, the atmosphere in the Indian camp appeared relaxed. Rohit and Gambhir were seen laughing together on the Lord's balcony alongside members of the support staff, suggesting the dressing room remains united and fully focused on the series-deciding clash.

The three-match ODI series is evenly poised at 1-1 after India and England shared the opening two games. India claimed the first ODI at Edgbaston, Birmingham, with an impressive all-round display. After being asked to bat, England raced to 61 without much trouble through Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell.

However, India's bowlers staged a sensational comeback, reducing the hosts to 107/6 by claiming five wickets for just 19 runs. Joe Root then anchored the innings with an unbeaten 76, while Liam Dawson added a crucial half-century as England recovered to post 258 before being bowled out.

India's chase got off to a shaky start as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli departed cheaply. Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer rebuilt the innings with a 101-run partnership before Gill retired hurt on 80. Axar Patel and Washington Sundar then produced an unbeaten 102-run stand to guide India to a six-wicket victory.

England bounced back strongly in the second ODI at Cardiff. India were restricted to 233 despite half-centuries from Kohli and Shreyas, as Jofra Archer and Gus Atkinson sparked a middle-order collapse. In response, Joe Root's unbeaten 99 and Atkinson's late cameo helped England seal a four-wicket win, setting up a winner-takes-all decider at Lord's.