​’Retire gracefully’: Rohit Sharma faces fierce fan backlash, asked to make way for Yashasvi Jaiswal after ENG vs IND 1st ODI originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Rohit Sharma made a laboured 11 off 21 balls in India’s 259-run chase in the first ODI against England at Edgbaston.Fans called for his retirement and demanded Yashasvi Jaiswal replace him as opener permanently before the 2027 ODI World Cup.Jaiswal has reportedly scored two centuries in his last three matches.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIndia’s ODI leg was supposed to be the great reset. After a humiliating 4-0 T20I whitewash, the return of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah promised experience, authority and a way out of the wreckage at Edgbaston.The bowlers delivered handsomely, dismissing England for 258 with Axar Patel claiming four wickets. What followed with the bat, however, has sent Indian social media into open revolt against one of its most decorated servants.Rohit crawled to 11 from 21 balls before edging Sam Curran to Harry Brook, departing with India 43 for 1 in the eighth over. In a chase of 259, the innings looked laboured, uncertain and for a growing section of supporters, unforgivable.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMORE: ‘Not ready for international cricket’: Indian fans left frustrated with SooryavanshiThe reaction was immediate and unsparing. One fan cut straight to the succession question and compared how abysmal Rohit’s numbers have been to Yashasvi Jaiswal. “Btw Yashasvi Jaiswal has scored two centuries in his last three matches but is still not in the team due to Rohit Sharma,” they wrote.Embed Twitter FeedTheir argument is hard to dismiss, as Jaiswal has proved himself to be one of Team India’s more consistent batters. On the other hand, one fan was considerably blunter about what should happen next. “Rohit Sharma is finished, and age is also not on his side,” the supporter posted. “He should retire gracefully and make way for Jaiswal if he is really selfless and puts the team before himself.”Embed Twitter FeedAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMeanwhile, on the other end of the debate, one mentioned the strike rate as the core problem rather than the runs themselves. “Hard truth: If Rohit Sharma is going to crawl to 11 off 21 balls in a 259-run chase, he should take retirement and give Yashasvi Jaiswal a permanent spot in the playing 11,” they wrote. “Keeping young talent on the bench for sluggish legacy performances is hurting the team.”Embed Twitter FeedFor someone named the Hitman, a dropping strike rate is the worst thing that can happen to Rohit. Some framed it as a selection question with a 2027 deadline attached. “Rohit Sharma can’t be India’s main opener for the 2027 ODI WC in SA,” one fan argued. “The sooner the BCCI realises this, the better it will be for the team and other deserving players!”Embed Twitter FeedAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNot everyone re