Ex-cricketer backs Rohit to sign off from ODIs with 'innings that people remember'

Amid speculations that Sunday's third and final ODI against England at Lord's could be Rohit Sharma's last international appearance, former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel believes the former captain is capable of signing off with a memorable century.As TOI reported earlier, the selection committee has decided that he will not be the first-choice opener after the England series on Sunday. As things stand now, the match on Sunday could be the 39-year-old's last match for India. Rohit has already retired from Test cricket and T20 Internationals.Patel said the India opener has repeatedly shown during his career that he responds strongly after a lean run and expects him to do so again if Sunday's match turns out to be his last."If the Lord's ODI is indeed the last match of his career, Rohit Sharma would want to sign off with a century. He is more than capable of doing that. We've seen it throughout his career - after two or three low scores, he often bounces back with a match-winning knock in the very next innings," Patel told 'JioStar'."The difference between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma has always been consistency. Rohit may not score heavily in every game, but when he does, he plays a substantial innings and often ends up winning the Player of the Match award. He didn't look comfortable in this game," he added, referring to Rohit's 47-ball 26 in India's defeat in the second ODI at Cardiff.Patel said Rohit struggled to adjust to the variable bounce in Cardiff and could never settle into his innings, but backed him to answer his critics once again."But this is another opportunity for him to silence his critics. It has happened many times before, and he has always responded with the bat. So, if the Lord's ODI is indeed his final match, I hope he plays an innings that people remember for a long time," the former wicketkeeper-batter said.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.