Rohit Sharma denies retirement rumors: Steps aside for Sydney Test, not as India's Captain
PTC Web Desk: Rohit Sharma, India's seasoned cricket captain, has quashed retirement speculations, affirming that his decision to sit out the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney was a strategic move and not an indication of stepping away from the game. The cricket world buzzed with rumours after his absence from the playing XI, but Rohit clarified his stance during a conversation with Star Sports on Day 2 of the Sydney Test.
"I stood down, that is what I would say," said Rohit Sharma, adding he was not rested, dropped, or opting out. Instead, his selfless decision stemmed from a candid assessment of his form and the team’s needs.
Rohit explained that he had a detailed discussion with head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar before making the call. He revealed that his lean patch with the bat influenced his decision.
"The chat that I had with the coach and selectors was that I'm not scoring runs, and we need players in form. Simple fact: you can't carry out-of-form players for too long," Rohit stated. "It was my duty to inform the coach and selector about my thoughts. They left the decision to me, and it was a tough one. But for the team's sake, it was the right choice to move forward."
The decision came after a string of disappointing performances, with Rohit managing just 31 runs in five innings across three Tests. His struggles were evident as even his signature strokes, like the front-foot pull, seemed laboured.
Rohit's Test record has seen a significant dip in recent times. Following the T20 World Cup triumph, his form in the longest format nosedived. In his last eight Tests, Rohit has scored only 164 runs at a meager average of 10.9. The year 2024 marked his worst in Test cricket, with an average of 24.76.
Despite this, Rohit Sharma is determined to bounce back and dismissed any thoughts of retirement. "The decision is not to retire. I'm not stepping aside as captain. I’ve only decided to sit out this Test because I wasn’t scoring runs," he added.
He expressed optimism about regaining his form, stating, "There’s no guarantee that I won’t score runs after two months or five months. I’ve seen things change quickly in cricket. But I also have to be realistic."
During the Star Sports broadcast, an emotional moment unfolded when presenter Jatin Sapru thanked Rohit for his selfless act. Rohit humorously interrupted, saying, “I’m not going anywhere,” leaving the panel, including Irfan Pathan, in splits.
Team India's performance amid foggy form
While Rohit Sharma watched from the sidelines, the Indian team rallied under Bumrah’s captaincy. The pace duo of Mohammed Siraj and Bumrah picked up three crucial wickets in the first hour of play, keeping India’s chances alive in the series decider.
- With inputs from agencies
