TimesofIndia.com in London: There were plenty of chants as Rohit Sharma walked into the iconic Lord’s cricket ground on Saturday. The mood remained the same as he walked out nearly three hours later.“The most important man in all of India!” yelled one fan. Another declared, “Ek century pakka kal! (One century tomorrow for sure!),” as Rohit smiled and took his place in the luxury black bus. The runs may not be flowing for the ‘Hitman’. The naysayers may be pushing him out of the side rather than backing him to stay. But fans do not see things that way. Rohit Sharma has scored 891 runs since the start of 2025, behind Shubman Gill‘s 974 and Virat Kohli‘s 961. This year, he has scored 241 runs, behind Gill’s 484 and Kohli’s 310. The pressure, even if the team management denies it, must be playing a role.As Rohit and Kohli prepare for what could be their last bilateral game in England, their contributions to the game have not been forgotten.“They’ve obviously been phenomenal players for many years, and it’s good to see them still playing the game,” England skipper Harry Brook said ahead of the third ODI, with the series locked at 1-1.Rohit has scored only 37 runs in the ongoing series, 11 in Birmingham and 26 at Cardiff, prompting questions over whether the 39-year-old’s place in India’s ODI team is under threat. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak insisted there was no pressure to speak of.On Saturday, Morne Morkel added another proverbial arm around Rohit’s shoulder.“It is hard work with the new ball upfront. We have seen that throughout the series. The ball is moving around.“So batting upfront is not easy. No doubt Rohit will work it out. He has done it in the past. He is experienced, and he brings calmness to the batting line-up. So, without a doubt, there are no worries or concerns at all about the way he is going about things,” the South African added.His record at Lord’s does not inspire much confidence. The right-hander has played five matches at the venue and scored just 133 runs, including an 83 in a Test in 2021. In four white-ball matches, he has managed only 29 runs, with a top score of 15 in 2018. In fact, his last outing here ended in a 10-ball duck as England thrashed India by 100 runs.Hoping to change that, Rohit took part in the optional practice session ahead of the third ODI alongside Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav and Prince Yadav.During a batting stint that lasted just over an hour, Rohit faced Kuldeep, Mayank Yadav and the sidearm specialists. He looked largely in good touch and in control. During breaks, he joked and laughed with members of the support staff. After finishing, he walked to the bench, took off his gear and had a lengthy chat with coach Gautam Gambhir. Even before the nets session, Rohit was seen standing alongside Gambhir and Kotak on the Lord’s balcony, sharing a hearty laugh.Even if this turns out to be the last ODI of Rohit Sharma’s illustrious career, the crowd will undoubtedly turn up in large numbers for one final glimpse of one of India’s greatest white-ball cricketers at one of the game’s most iconic venues.

India bowling coach Morne Morkel on Saturday downplayed Rohit Sharma’s struggles, underlining the “calmness” the experienced batter brings to the batting line-up, and said he will find his feet soon in English conditions. Rohit’s scores of 11 and 26 in the first two ODIs have accentuated the talk around his future ahead of the third and final match against England at Lord’s on Sunday.

“It’s is hard work with a new ball up front. We have seen that in the entire series. The ball is moving around. So batting up front, it is not easy. No doubt Rohit will work it out,” Morkel said in the pre-match press conference.

“He has done it in the past. He is experienced and he just brings that calmness to the batting line-up. So, without a doubt, no worries and concerns at all with the way he is going about things,” he added.

Going into the series decider, India have other concerns too in the batting department.

The middle-order could not exploit the launch pad given by Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer in the second ODI, getting restricted to a below par 233 as England won the match by four wickets.

Morkel said Indian batters should get used to the pace of the Lord’s pitch before unleashing their shots.

“I think for them it is just to sum up the conditions, we have seen of late that it can be a tricky surface here at Lord’s. So, maybe, to give yourself that extra 5-10 balls just to get used to the pace of the surface, is going to be important.

“But, if you look at our top-order, top middle-order, they have played a lot of cricket. They are very well aware of the conditions and how to form partnerships and that is going to be the key.

“As a team we always look to push that 10 per cent and look for ways to get better and we know in the 50-over game, it is about partnerships and if we can form that with bat and ball, it will be an exciting game for us,” he detailed.

The former South African pacer also exhorted the Indian quicks to work out ways to get breakthroughs in the middle-overs.

“To be honest, the way we bowled in the last game was exceptional. Just looking at the numbers, the high speeds that the boys are generating, the areas that we have bowled in were great to see.

“We have gone with the thinking that we wanted to use Prasidh and Gurnoor Brar with that extra bounce in that middle phase.” Morkel reminded the importance of wickets in the middle passage.

“But it is crucial to get those wickets in the middle phase. So, we will keep on working on ways and trying to find how we can make those breakthroughs. I thought Joe (Root) played exceptionally well, classy innings (99 not out) there,” he said.

However, Morkel said he does not want to cloud the thinking of bowlers with excessive tips.

“It is a bit of a tricky one because one thing is you can share about past experiences about the (Lord’s) slope. You can give a lot of ideas. But also you need to be mindful that it is a day out before a game. You don’t want to add too many things for the bowlers to think about,” he added.

There has been some chatter around Morkel wanting to quit after the ongoing ODI series against England, but he sounded keen to help India bowlers in the 2027 50-over World Cup to be held in his home country.

“Living in South Africa and playing 20 years of cricket in SA… my experience counts for something. There are definitely conversations about the World Cup and planning that potentially we can take forward, once we reach there or getting closer to the World Cup time.

“But for sure, I have learned my trade in South Africa. I understand the surfaces. I understand that the wickets can play differently in certain times of the year. Yeah, definitely I will put that forward to the team and to the table,” he noted.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Featured Video Of The Day

FIFA World Cup 2026 | ‘I Don’t See A World Cup Trophy…’: Mbappe Says France’s Job Isn’t Done

With only two matches left at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the race for the tournament’s best player award is almost over. For me, Lionel Messi is the clear favourite to win the Golden Ball.

The Argentina captain has once again shown why he is one of football’s greatest players. He has led his team to the World Cup final with outstanding performances, scoring eight goals and providing four assists.

Messi has been involved in most of Argentina’s goals during the tournament and has stepped up in important matches. His leadership, creativity and ability to decide games have made him the standout player of the competition.

Spain midfielder Rodri is also among the leading contenders. He has been the driving force in Spain’s midfield, helping his side reach the final while playing a key role in one of the tournament’s strongest defensive records.

France captain Kylian Mbappe has also enjoyed another brilliant World Cup. The forward has scored eight goals and added three assists, leading France’s attack before their semi-final exit. He still has one more chance to impress in the third-place play-off against England.

England midfielder Jude Bellingham has also strengthened his reputation with another excellent tournament. His six goals, energy and influence in midfield were vital in England’s run to the semi-finals.

Other players who have impressed include Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Ousmane Dembele, Mikel Oyarzabal and Spain’s young star Lamine Yamal, who have all produced memorable performances during the competition.

Despite the quality of the other contenders, my choice remains Messi. He has combined goals, assists, leadership and match-winning displays better than anyone else at this World Cup.

If Argentina complete their title defence in the final against Spain, I believe Messi will fully deserve to be named the 2026 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball winner as the tournament’s best player.

Terence Crawford would have been open to rematching Canelo Alvarez but, due to their original contract, a second encounter was firmly “off the table”.

The pair collided for Canelo’s undisputed crown last September, with ‘Bud’ securing a unanimous decision victory after moving up two weight classes.

Due to the size disparity, many considered Crawford a clear underdog against the Mexican, who had remained unbeaten since losing to Dmitry Bivol in 2022.

As it happened, though, Crawford managed to dethrone the long-reigning super-middleweight king and, in doing so, became a three-division undisputed champion.

The American then announced his retirement a few months later, despite rumours of an immediate rematch between the two future Hall of Famers.

There was also talk of a potential clash with Janibek Alimkhanuly which, at the time, would have offered Crawford the chance to become a six-division world champion.

Regarding Canelo, the 38-year-old told The Breakfast Club that he would only have fought him again if there had been a rematch clause in the contract

“Canelo [rematch] was off the table. There was no rematch clause. If the rematch clause was in the contract then I would have honoured that.”

Crawford went on to admit that he was intrigued by a move to middleweight, but only if it involved an undisputed showdown.

This plan was scuppered, however, after Alimkhanuly, the then-IBF and WBO champion, failed a doping test ahead of his three-belt unification match with Erislandy Lara.

If the winner of Alimkhanuly-Lara had faced WBC champion Carlos Adames, then perhaps Crawford would have considered remaining in the sport.

Rohit Sharma plays a shot during 2nd ODI against England. (ANI Photo)

NEW DELHI: India bowling coach Morne Morkel has thrown his weight behind Rohit Sharma amid growing scrutiny over the veteran opener’s form, insisting there are “no worries” and expressing confidence that the former skipper will soon rediscover his rhythm in English conditions.Speaking ahead of Sunday’s series-deciding third ODI against England at Lord’s, Morkel dismissed concerns over Rohit’s scores of 11 and 26 in the first two matches, saying the challenging conditions for opening batters have made life difficult throughout the series.

Morkel backs Rohit’s experience and composure

With speculation intensifying over Rohit’s ODI future ahead of the 2027 World Cup, Morkel highlighted the opener’s experience and the calming influence he brings to India’s batting unit.“It is hard work with a new ball up front. We have seen that in the entire series. The ball is moving around. So batting up front, it is not easy. No doubt Rohit will work it out,” Morkel said.“He has done it in the past. He is experienced and he just brings that calmness to the batting line-up. So, without a doubt, no worries and concerns at all with the way he is going about things,” he added.His remarks come after Rohit’s modest returns in the opening two ODIs reignited debate over whether India should begin planning beyond the veteran opener with just a year remaining before the next 50-over World Cup.

Batting unit told to adapt quicker at Lord’s

While defending Rohit, Morkel acknowledged that India’s batting as a whole needs improvement after failing to capitalise on a strong platform in the second ODI.Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer had laid the foundation, but the middle order could not accelerate as India finished with a below-par 233, allowing England to level the series with a four-wicket victory.Morkel advised India’s batters to respect the conditions at Lord’s before looking to dominate.“I think for them it is just to sum up the conditions. We have seen of late that it can be a tricky surface here at Lord’s. So maybe give yourself that extra five to 10 balls just to get used to the pace of the surface,” he said.He added that India’s experienced top and middle order know how to build partnerships and stressed that sustained stands with both bat and ball would be key in the decider.

Middle-over wickets remain India’s biggest bowling concern

Despite praising the fast bowlers for their effort in the previous game, Morkel admitted India still need to become more effective in breaking partnerships during the middle overs.He said the pace attack had executed plans well, particularly with Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar using extra bounce effectively, but acknowledged that England’s Joe Root, who remained unbeaten on 99, showed the value of denying the opposition easy passages through the innings.“It is crucial to get those wickets in the middle phase. We will keep working on ways to find those breakthroughs,” Morkel said, while also cautioning against overloading bowlers with technical advice before a crucial game.