Retirement finalized? Rohit Sharma reveals all about skipping Sydney Test

Team India opening batter Rohit Sharma confirmed that he wasn't dropped for the fifth Test against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 in Sydney. Rohit Sharma dismissed the retirement talks and said that his decision to step aside was made after discussing it with the coach and selectors.

Jasprit Bumrah is leading the team in the final Test, while Shubman Gill took Rohit's spot in the playing XI. There's been speculation about Rohit's potential retirement from Test cricket due to his recent struggles with the format. He only managed 31 runs across five innings with an average of just 6.20.

I Am Not Thinking Much of the Future - Rohit Sharma

In an interview with Star Sports during the lunch break on Day 2, Rohit Sharma said that he was neither rested nor dropped from the team. Sharma admitted that his form had been poor and runs weren’t coming. The batter said that he felt it was the right time to step aside in a must-win game.

"I stood down, that's what I will say. There are fifty words that'll be thrown around. The chat that I had with the coach and the selectors was simple - runs weren't coming off my bat, I wasn't in form and it was a must-win match. I felt I had to inform the coach and the selectors and this was my decision. They told me you know your game best," Rohit said.

"I am not thinking much of the future. At this point, this is what the team required. I took this call after coming here (not in Melbourne). We had only three days after the last Test and one of them was New Year's. I didn't want to tell the coach and selectors on that day. But it was important for me," he added.

Rohit Sharma Left Out of the Team Sheet for the Sydney Test

Rohit was left out of the team sheet for the Sydney Test, and Bumrah stated that the captain 'opted to rest.' However, several former cricketers suggested that this might signal the end of Rohit's Test career. In 2024, Rohit scored only 164 runs at an average of 10.9 in his last eight Test matches.

India is trailing 1-2 in the five-match series in Australia. The visitors won the first Test in Perth, lost the day-night Test in Adelaide, and drew the rain-affected contest in Brisbane. Team India then lost the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, which gave Australia an unassailable 2-1 lead in the series.

They Don't Get to Decide When I Retire, When I Don't Play - Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma stated that his decision to sit out the ongoing match is not related to retirement. He emphasized that he's still hopeful of regaining his batting form in the near future. Rohit also expressed that opinions from outsiders don't dictate his career decisions.

"Like I said, this decision is not a retirement decision, nor am I stepping aside from the game," Rohit said in the same interaction. "I am sitting out this game since my bat isn't clicking. It doesn't mean it won't click five months or two months down the line. But at the same time I have to be realistic. Whatever someone writes sitting behind a laptop or pen doesn't matter. They don't get to decide when I retire, when I don't play. I am a successful man, a father of two kids so I know what I need in life."

Also read: Rishabh Pant reveals who made the call to drop Rohit Sharma for Sydney Test