1983 World Cup-winning cricketer Madan Lal has backed Rohit Sharma amid speculation over his future, challenging the selectors to go ahead and drop the veteran opener if they have the courage. His comments came after India's three-match ODI series against England. After managing just 37 runs in the first two games, speculation was rife that the veteran opener was no longer in the selectors' plans and that the third ODI at Lord's on July 19 could be his last.

Despite India losing the decider by 27 runs and conceding the series 2-1, Rohit silenced his critics with a stunning century, scoring 138 off 110 balls, laced with 17 fours and five sixes. During a discussion on the YouTube channel KADAK, Madan Lal was asked to share his views on the matter. He noted that while everyone has to bid farewell to the game one day, people should not question Rohit if he is performing well and wants to continue playing.

He further stated that if the selectors tell Rohit that he is no longer in their plans, the 39-year-old has every right to ask why and said:

The 75-year-old further stated that the team needs a player like Rohit Sharma, as no other batter possesses the variety of shots he has. Praising the opener, Lal said:

Across nine matches in 2026, the right-hander has scored 379 runs at an average of 42.11 and a strike rate of 99.21, registering one century and one half-century.

During the same discussion, Madan Lal remarked that even if Rohit Sharma wins just two out of five matches, he remains a valuable player, as no cricketer can win every contest. He said:

Rohit has amassed 11,895 runs in 280 ODI innings at an average of 48.95 and a strike rate of 93.04, including 62 half-centuries and 34 centuries.

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