Goa, July 23 -- Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has weighed in on the retirement speculation surrounding Rohit Sharma, suggesting that the rumours may not have been entirely baseless despite the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) dismissing them.

The debate over Rohit's future intensified during India's recently concluded ODI series against England after the veteran opener endured a poor start, registering back-to-back low scores. Media reports even claimed that the series-deciding match at Lord's could be Rohit's final ODI appearance and that he was no longer part of the selectors' plans for the upcoming ICC World Cup.

However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia swiftly rejected the reports, confirming that Rohit would co...