Rohit Sharma's PR Stunt exposed in broad daylight as ex-teammate responds to Australia query

Former cricketer Amit Mishra opened up about the claims that Rohit Sharma’s decision to opt out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Sydney was a PR stunt. Mishra stated that selectors have the right to exclude Rohit from the squad and added that the Indian skipper wouldn't do such a thing for a PR stunt.

Rohit Sharma was accused of pulling off a PR stunt after opting out of the fifth and final Test against Australia following his poor batting performance in the series. After missing the first Test, the opening batter managed to score only 31 runs across five innings during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Amit Mishra Opens Up on Rohit Sharma's Retirement from Test Cricket

Amit Mishra stated that Rohit's retirement should be his own decision and others cannot dictate him. He said outsiders cannot fully understand the pressure players endure.

"I am going to be extremely blunt on this. I feel that any cricketer didn't start playing cricket by asking us. So, the kind of pressure he has gone through, we were not with him during that phase, so we are not aware of the amount of pressure he had to endure," Mishra said during a chat on Lallantop.

"So, I feel that it should be his decision. The day he feels that he can't play anymore, he will retire. Rohit's wish has nothing to do with the selectors. Don't select him. That's the selectors' choice. Retirement in Rohit's call," he added.

Amit Mishra Feels No One Can Handle Pressure Like Rohit Sharma

Amit Mishra is confident in Rohit Sharma’s ability to bounce back from his poor form in Test cricket. He questioned whether any other player could handle the pressure better than Rohit. Mishra stated that Rohit made the rare decision to drop himself during a Test series in Australia.

"You tell me, who is better than him at the moment? In Test cricket, can anyone handle pressure like him? Although he is struggling, but you name one player who can handle that pressure. You back the young players and that's what he has done. Name one captain who decided to drop himself in Australia," Mishra stated.

"It wasn't a PR activity; this is what I feel. His nature is not like that. I know him personally. He is not that kind of a player who will do such a thing for his PR," Mishra explained.

Rohit Sharma Leading Team India in ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Rohit Sharma is currently leading the Indian cricket team in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The Men in Blue have qualified for the semi-finals after winning their first two group-stage matches. They started their campaign with a victory over Bangladesh and followed it up with another victory against Pakistan.

India will face New Zealand in their final group-stage match in Dubai on Sunday, March 2. They will play their semi-final match in Dubai irrespective of their position in the Group A table. Rohit Sharma has the opportunity to add one more trophy to his career, having led the team to a T20 World Cup win last year.

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