Rohit Sharma Breaks Silence On Retirement Rumours, Clarifies Absence From IND vs AUS Sydney Test

Rohit Sharma opened up on absence from the Sydney Test as he dismissed the retirement speculations that sprung up after he did not feature in the IND vs AUS final Test of the BGT 2024-25 series.

Rohit Sharma addressed 'retirement rumours' after he did not feature in the ongoing India vs Australia 5th Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Rohit clarified that he ‘stood down’ from the Sydney Test keeping in mind his poor form with the bat, putting the team’s needs first, and confirmed he has not retired from Test cricket.

Rohit had managed only 31 runs in 5 innings, averaging 6.20. He then withdrew from the Sydney game, with multiple reports suggesting that he had been dropped. and was soon going to announce his Test retirement. While Rohit joined Star Sports for a chat during Lunch on Day 2, the host asked if Rohit was ‘dropped’, ‘rested’, or ‘opted out.' Rohit humorously clarified that it was none of the above and chose to step aside for an in-form player. He mentioned having a discussion with coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, who supported his decision.

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"It's not any of the three (laughs.) I stood down. I will say one thing and it will have 50 interpretations by people on the outside. I had a chat with the coach and the selector was very plain and simple. I am not making runs at the moment. I am not in form and it's an important match. 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 selector and they backed my call," Rohit said while making an appearance on Star Sports during Lunch on Day 2 of the IND vs AUS Sydney Test.

Not Thinking About Future: Rohit Sharma

Rohit said that he is not thinking too far ahead in the future and is only looking at the team's priorities presently.

“Not thinking too far ahead, right now what the team needs is the priority. I made this decision after we came here (Sydney), it was going on in my mind that it is important for me to step aside because I wasn't getting runs with the bat.”

“I don't believe in what will happen in 6 months or 4 months time, I always stay in the present and think about what needs to be done right now. This is not a retirement decision, I am out of the game because I wasn't in form. Life changes everyday and I have full belief that things will change. I have to be true to be myself though and be realistic as well. I am sensible, matured and father of 2 kids, so I know what to do when. You need to understand what the team needs, if you do not think about the team, you don't want those kind of players. We call it a team, so always think about what the team needs,” he added.

Rohit expressed confidence in his decisions, acknowledging that sometimes his decisions could not pay good dividends but he reaffirmed his commitment to the team and insisted he is not retiring.

“We know that a lot of people are going to judge us, but I will never doubt myself. It could be wrong sometimes, but we all go there with a mindset to win. Like yesterday, we should have bowled on that wicket instead of batting, such things happen. I am not going anywhere,” Rohit concluded.