Sydney, Jan 4: Senior Indian batsman Rohit Sharma has categorically refuted retirement speculations, stating he is “not going anywhere” and cited his struggle for form as the reason he chose to “stand down” from the current Test match in Sydney against Australia.
Facing challenges with his performance, Rohit “chose to rest” for the Sydney Test, passing the captaincy to Jasprit Bumrah, which led to extensive speculation regarding his future.
“I haven’t retired. I stood down, that’s how I would phrase it. The discussion I had with the coach and selectors was straightforward. I’m not scoring runs; there’s no form, and this is a crucial match where we need a player in form,” Rohit explained to Star Sports.
“As it stands, our batting lineup isn’t in great form. You can’t have too many out-of-form players in the team. This simple thought weighed heavily on my mind. I am not going anywhere,” he continued.
The 37-year-old acknowledged that both the team management and selectors supported his choice.
“I wanted to inform the coach and selectors what was on my mind. They supported my decision, affirming that having played for so many years, I understand what I’m doing.
“It was a tough decision for me, but when everything is considered, this decision seems sensible. I won’t think too far ahead,” he added.
In Rohit’s absence, Shubman Gill has been included in the Indian eleven for the crucial fifth match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where India is currently trailing 1-2.
The Mumbaikar faced significant challenges in Test cricket during 2024, amassing only 619 runs in 26 innings over 14 matches, averaging 24.76.
Prior to stepping down, he managed just 31 runs in five innings across three Tests in this series after joining the squad post the Perth Test.
Rohit’s decisive move led to rumors that he might retire from Test cricket after this series.
“This is not a retirement move. I am not quitting the game. No such decision has been made. However, I am stepping away because the bat isn’t performing the way I want,” he clarified.
“But there’s no certainty the bat won’t perform well in five months. There’s also no guarantee it won’t work in two months or six months,” Rohit mentioned.
He expressed hope for an improvement in form sooner rather than later.
“In cricket, we witness changes every minute, every second. I believe things will turn around,” he stated.
“However, I must also be realistic. What a person with a mic, laptop, or pen says or writes doesn’t dictate our lives. We’ve played this game long enough,” he continued.
“Thus, these individuals cannot dictate when we should step down or continue playing. I am a rational and mature individual. As a father of two, I have the capacity to make decisions about my life,” he added.
When asked if this decision followed the defeat in the Melbourne Test, Rohit clarified: “No, I made this choice upon arriving in Sydney. After the match, we had only two days, one of which was New Year’s Eve. I didn’t want to mention it to the coach or selectors on New Year’s.”
“But the thought lingered that I’m trying and it’s just not happening. I must accept the reality that it isn’t working out, and it was vital for me to step aside.
“When I am captaining, I focus on what is needed for the immediate future, rather than worrying about what might happen in five or six months,” he added.
“Our complete focus was on these five matches. We needed to retain the trophy and achieve victory. When making such decisions, we prioritize the team’s needs,” he concluded.
Rohit also praised Bumrah, expressing admiration for his leadership capabilities.
“Bumrah sets remarkable standards with his bowling; he is exceptional. Since I first saw him in 2013, his career has consistently ascended, showcasing his strength and skill,” he noted. (PTI)
