Rohit Sharma was forced to retire from Tests? BCCI selector drops bombshell on BGT 2024-25

Former Indian selector Jatin Paranjpe has stunned one and all by revealing his conversation with Rohit Sharma. He also sensationally claimed that India might have drawn the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia if Rohit Sharma hadn’t stepped aside from the final Test in Sydney.

With the five-match Test series slipping at 2-1 and Rohit going through a nightmare run, scoring just 31 runs across three games against Australia, the Indian captain made a bold call to drop himself from the SCG Test. Jasprit Bumrah was handed the reins, and India also faced defeat in Sydney.

Jatin Paranjpe says India could’ve drawn BGT if Rohit Sharma played in Sydney

Paranjpe believes that Rohit’s experience could’ve made a difference. Earlier this year, Rohit announced his retirement from Test cricket just before India’s squad was named for the England tour. Days later, Virat Kohli also called time on his glorious Test career.

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Rohit’s Test career had its ups and downs, but once he began opening in 2019, he became one of India’s most reliable players in the traditional format of the game. From 2020 to 2024, he was rock-solid. But after September 2024, things were not going well, and his form dipped sharply.

Paranjpe recalled a conversation with Rohit Sharma, as he shared a heartfelt story about the Hitman’s love for Test cricket. The former selector believes that Rohit had the potential to achieve much more in the purest form of the game—Tests.

Rohit Sharma said he lives for Test cricket: Jatin Paranjpe

Jatin Paranjpe said on the 'A Century of Stories' podcast with Cyrus Broacha, “I remember he was not playing Test cricket for India. And we had this conversation, and he said, 'I started playing cricket with a red ball, Jatin. How can you say that I am not interested in Test cricket?' I got the message, and I was hoping that that was what he would say.”

Paranjpe further added, “He said he lives for Test cricket. I think Rohit Sharma could have done a lot more in Test cricket. I think he would be the first one to say that as well. I was a little bit disappointed that he chose to drop himself in Sydney because we could have leveled the series.”

Notably, Rohit will continue to play for India in ODIs and is set to return to action later this year during India’s tour of Australia after retiring from both Test and T20I cricket.

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Jatin Paranjpe reveals Ravi Shastri sparked Rohit Sharma’s Test revival

Meanwhile, the former Indian selector credited the former head coach Ravi Shastri for playing a big role in Rohit Sharma’s success in Test cricket. He revealed that during his time on the selection panel, it was Shastri who suggested giving Rohit a chance as an opener in the longest format of the game.

That decision turned out to be a game-changer. As head coach, Shastri’s trust helped Rohit find his rhythm in Test cricket and revive his red-ball career. He also hailed Shastri as a superb thinker.

Paranjpe signed off by saying, “That's the big moment. I remember I was part of the selection committee at that time. That was Ravi Shastri's idea. Superb thinker. Ravi is 3-4 steps ahead of everybody when it comes to reading the game.”