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India captain Rohit Sharma has been left humbled after posting low scores in the first two one-day internationals against England. The veteran opener followed up a double-century against Afghanistan with 11 and 26 against England, reigniting fears that he may be past his best.

Recent reports suggested that Sunday’s series decider at Lord’s could be his last ODI for India before he retires from international cricket. However, BCCI chief Devajit Saikia dismissed those rumours, saying that the 39-year-old opener will continue to play for India. With the three-match series tied, Rohit Sharma now has an opportunity to prove his critics wrong in the series decider.

Abhishek Nayar Confident Rohit Sharma Will Turn Starts Into Big Scores

Former India batsman and ex-assistant coach Abhishek Nayar feels Rohit Sharma’s recent scores do not indicate a poor technique but rather difficult circumstances. Speaking on Star Sports, Nayar reasoned that the Indian captain had batted well under the seaming conditions and only had to turn his starts into big scores.

Conditions are important. You have to respect the conditions. The ball was seaming and doing a little bit here, so you can’t put too much pressure on Rohit Sharma because he is not playing all formats. He also understands that, and he will review it as well. If he got to that point, after the over of Sam Curran, he was under pressure as well. Apart from that, I felt everything was fine. I don’t think strike rate is the problem. But, normally, he makes 50 from 26, so that is something he will be reviewing,” said Nayar while speaking on Star Sports.

Rohit’s innings in the second ODI ended when he miscued a sweep shot against the off-spinner Will Jacks, who sent an inside edge straight to the wicket-keeper Jos Buttler. However, Nayar reasoned that the decision did not show a lack of skill from the Indian captain but rather a mind over matter.

“Rohit doesn’t get out of off-spin too often, but he got out here because it looked like he was in some sort of a tight spot for scoring. So, it is more of a mind over matter. But he is batting so well that I am not reviewing it much,” he added.

India and England will clash in the third and final ODI of the series at Lord’s on Sunday, where the Indian captain wants to take charge and lead his side to another overseas series win.