India, July 17 -- The R word has followed Rohit Sharma over the past 15 months. For him to play the next ODI World Cup he would have to last another 15 months under the shadow of the retirement question. Continuing under that shadow of the retirement question would be improbable for him at age 40.

It's what the selectors have believed for a while. When India won the Champions Trophy last March, it is learnt the selectors preferred Rohit leave on a high and handed over opening duties to the next generation of batters.

Rohit lost his captaincy. He took a fresh guard as a player, confident that his experience would fuel his ambition, help sway public opinion, and ultimately win over the selectors and team management. That's not how things ...