India’s Rohit Sharma dismissed retirement rumours after being left out of the fifth and final Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test match in Sydney.
Speaking during the lunch break on day two, Rohit clarified his stance on the matter.
“This is not a decision to retire, nor am I stepping away from the game,” said Rohit.
“I’ve stood down for this match because I wasn’t scoring runs at the moment,” he added.
He emphasised that his decision was based on current form and not a sign of an imminent retirement.
“There is no guarantee runs won’t come five or two months down the line. I’ve seen a lot in cricket and life changes every second, every minute, every day,” he added.
“I have confidence that things can change, but I also have to be realistic. Life won’t change based on what people with a mic, pen, or laptop write or say.”
The Indian captain further stated that decisions regarding retirement or team roles should be left to the players themselves.
“There is no guarantee runs won’t come five or two months down the line. I have seen a lot in cricket and life changes every second, every minute, every day.”
“I have confidence that things can change, but at the same time, I have to be realistic as well. So life won’t change by what people with a mic, pen, or laptop write or say.”
“They can’t decide when we should retire, when we should sit out, or when we should captain. I am a sensible man, a mature man, a father of two kids. So I know what I need in life.”
The 37-year-old acknowledged his current lack of form and the importance of having in-form players in crucial matches.
“I am not in form and it’s an important game. We need an in-form player. Our batting order isn’t in form at the moment. So out-of-form players can’t carry the team at the moment. So this was the simple thing in my mind. It was my understanding that I should tell the coach and the selectors and they backed my call.”
As Rohit watched from the pavilion, India staged a comeback in the match, holding Australia to 101/5 at lunch on day two before taking the sixth wicket in Alex Carey (21) in the middle session.
India needs to win the Sydney Test to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and keep their slim hopes of making it to the World Test Championship Final alive.
A win for Australia would secure a spot in the final against South Africa at Lord’s in June, while also ending a 10-year absence of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from their cabinet.
The right-handed batter has had a challenging series, averaging just 6.2 across five innings and has yet to taste victory on the tour. He missed India’s win in the first Test in Perth due to the birth of his second child.
In his absence, Jasprit Bumrah assumed the captaincy for the Sydney Test, as he did in the first Test.
However, Bumrah also departed the SCG after succumbing to an injury while bowling in the second session. Virat Kohli then led the team in the field, with India bowling Australia out for 181.
In reply, India closed day two at 141 for six, with a 145-run lead, thanks to Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, who remained at the crease.
