India, July 22 -- Reports emerging from the Indian cricket team's tour of England suggested that the third ODI at Lord's on 19 July could be Rohit Sharma's final appearance for India. The BCCI selection committee has reportedly informed the 39-year-old that he does not feature in their plans for the 2027 World Cup, effectively handing him a retirement ultimatum.

While jarring, this development follows a long-standing pattern. The Indian cricket administration has consistently struggled to manage the twilight phases of its most celebrated players. Instead of smooth transitions, senior players are often stripped of captaincies, sidelined, or forced to retire to avoid the indignity of being dropped outright. Here is how some of India's bigg...