India and Australia are playing the final match of a five-match Test series in Sydney. On the second day of the match, Rohit Sharma made a big revelation. He denied all the reports suggesting that he is retiring from Test cricket. Rohit stated that he is not in form, and that’s the only reason he is not playing in the Sydney Test. He emphasized that winning the Sydney Test and retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was more important for India, which led him to make this decision in the team’s interest.
In recent days, several media reports claimed that Rohit had informed the BCCI and team management about his Test retirement and would announce it after the Sydney Test. However, Rohit has now dismissed these reports. In an interview with the official broadcaster, he made several key statements. Here are the 10 big highlights from his interview.
Rohit Will Not Retire, Skipped Match Due to Poor Form
Rohit said, “This is not a retirement decision, and I am not stepping back. I missed the Sydney Test because my batting form is not good. There is no guarantee that things won’t change in two or five months. Cricket has shown us that things can change in seconds. I believe in myself that things will improve. But at this moment, I needed to focus on what is important. My batting form has not been good, and you cannot keep giving chances to out-of-form players. I felt it was necessary to share this with the coach and selectors, and they supported my decision. It was a tough call, but it was required.”
Rohit Lashes Out at Media Over Retirement Reports
Rohit criticized the media for spreading retirement rumours. He said, “Just because someone has a mic, a laptop, or a pen does not mean they can decide our careers. We have played cricket for years, and they cannot decide when we should retire. I am a mature man and a father of two children, so I know what I want in life. We cannot control what is being written, so we should focus on winning matches instead.”
Rohit Decided to Drop Himself After Arriving in Sydney
When asked if he made this decision after the loss in Melbourne, Rohit said, “No. I took this decision after arriving in Sydney. We had just two days between matches, and one was New Year’s Day. I didn’t want to discuss this on New Year’s. I kept thinking that despite my efforts, I was not scoring runs. I had to accept it and step aside.”
Focus Was on Retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Rohit emphasized, “When I captain the team, I focus on immediate goals, not what will happen in five or six months. Our goal was to retain the trophy. Such decisions are made by keeping the team first.”
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Why Did Rohit Decide to Bat at No. 6 Instead of Opening?
In the first three Tests, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal opened the innings, while Rohit opened in Melbourne. Explaining his decision, Rohit said, “When we reached Perth, I thought about why we won there. The main reasons were that we restricted Australia to 100 runs after scoring 150 and had a 200-run opening partnership in the second innings. Rahul and Yashasvi handled the challenge well, so I didn’t want to change that combination.”
How Did Rohit Control His Emotions After Dropping Himself?
Rohit said, “It was tough for me. I didn’t come all this way to sit on the bench. I want to play and win matches for my team. Since 2007, when I entered the dressing room, that has been my mindset. Sometimes you need to understand the team’s requirements. Cricket is a team sport, and we must focus on the team’s needs.”
“I Am Not Afraid to Stand by My Decisions”
When asked if this decision should set an example, Rohit said, “I can’t speak for others, but this is how I have played my entire life. I don’t try to show something I am not. I do what I believe is right and avoid what I think is wrong. There’s nothing to fear in that.”
Jasprit Bumrah Is Our Strongest Asset
Talking about Bumrah, Rohit said, “He understands the game well and sets examples through his bowling. I’ve been watching him since 2013, and his rise has been phenomenal. His mindset and execution are visible to the world. He is undoubtedly our strength.”
Leadership Is Earned, Not Given Easily
When asked about potential future captains, Rohit said, “It’s too early to say, but players must earn the responsibility. I, Bumrah, Kohli, and Dhoni earned it after playing tough cricket. Captaincy shouldn’t be handed out easily. It is a great honour, and players need to prove themselves first.”
“We Want to Silence Australian Fans by Retaining the Trophy”
Rohit said, “No team comes to the field to lose. Everyone wants to win. We want to silence the Australian fans. How many teams have won two series in Australia? We have a golden opportunity to retain the trophy. Winning the series may not be possible now, but a draw will ensure Australia doesn’t win. Returning home with positive results three times would be a great achievement.”
In the end, Rohit confidently added, “I am not going anywhere.”