Dinesh Lad, the childhood coach of Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma, has provided a firm “100 per cent guarantee” that the veteran batter will participate in the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Speaking on Friday, June 5, 2026, Lad dismissed ongoing criticism regarding the 39-year-old’s fitness and recent form, asserting that Sharma remains an essential component for India’s prospects in the tournament. Lad confirmed that the Nagpur-born player intends to retire from the game only after the conclusion of that global showpiece.
The veteran opener has faced scrutiny following a dry patch in his most recent ODI series against New Zealand, where he accumulated 61 runs across three innings. Concerns were further heightened after he suffered a hamstring injury during the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL).
However, Lad insists that Sharma does not need to prove his credentials to anyone, citing his established stature and technical proficiency as reasons why he should remain a fixture in the one-day international squad.
The coach’s defense arrives at a transitional time for the national team’s leadership. Rohit Sharma lost the captaincy last year despite leading India to success in the Champions Trophy, as national selectors reportedly opted for a younger leader to head the build-up toward the 2027 World Cup.
Despite this shift in formal rank, Lad believes the team desperately needs Sharma’s experience if they are to reach the finals in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Dinesh Lad clarifies Rohit Sharma 2027 World Cup ambitions
Lad’s comments, made to PTI Videos, serve as a direct rebuttal to critics questioning the longevity of a player approaching his 40s. “Being a coach, I don’t think he needs to prove anything to anyone,” Lad stated.
He revealed that he has spoken with Sharma and described the player as “very categoric” regarding his remaining career goals, which are now centered entirely on the 50-over format.
The coach argued that Sharma’s batting template is perfectly designed for the ODI format, allowing him to settle early before taking the attack to the bowlers. Lad noted that during the IPL, Sharma displayed great versatility by rotating strike with singles and doubles rather than relying purely on boundary-clearing shots.
This technical adaptation is part of why latest sport news updates regarding the veteran’s role continue to emphasize his importance to the top order.
Following his retirement from both Test cricket and T20 Internationals, Sharma is now focused solely on the ODI format. He has publicly referred to the 50-over World Cup as the “actual World Cup” and has placed winning it at the very top of his priority list.
While other sports see different evolution, such as how Luke Littler leads technical drills to advance his own discipline, Sharma is banking on his traditional technical strengths to carry him through the next cycle.
Challenging the six month ultimatum from selectors
Former national selector Saba Karim recently suggested that the next six months would be a critical period for Rohit Sharma to cement his place in the 2027 plans. Lad pushed back against this specific focus, arguing that the coming months are crucial for every player in the squad, not just the veterans.
He maintained that Sharma’s fitness remains sufficient and that his desire to win the trophy for India is his primary motivation.
“He knows that if he has to play there should be a reason,” Lad explained. “The reason is to win the ODI World Cup. He wants to win that for India at any cost. I am sure he will retire only after that.
” The coach also clarified that Sharma’s absence from other formats does not imply a lack of effort, noting that the batter practices daily and works constantly on his physical conditioning away from the public eye.
The 2027 ODI World Cup is scheduled for October and November 2027. For Sharma, the tournament represents a chance for redemption following India’s defeat to Australia in the 2023 final. Lad remains certain that the journey will continue until that final goal is met, stating that if given the opportunity, Sharma will continue to perform at the highest level for India.
