Sanjay Manjrekar EXPOSES Rohit Sharma's real motive behind explosive SCG interview

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar praised Rohit Sharma for openly admitting his struggles with the bat during a candid interview during the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney.

Rohit Sharma had opted out of the New Year’s Test against Australia at the SCG because he was out of form, and the Indian skipper’s honesty about his poor form with the bat was hailed by Sanjay Manjrekar.

Sanjay Manjrekar praises Rohit Sharma’s honesty but questions Sydney's interview timing

However, Manjrekar also raised questions about whether there was another reason behind Rohit's decision to speak with the broadcasters midway through such a crucial SCG Test. Indian skipper’s interview on Day 2 of the Sydney Test left many stunned, especially since he wasn’t part of the 15-member squad for the match against Australia.

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During the interview, the Indian captain addressed rumors about his future in Test cricket and denied claims that he had been dropped for the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Well, Sanjay Manjrekar acknowledged Rohit's transparency but pointed out that Gautam Gambhir was another reason behind his decision to give an interview during the Sydney Test.

The cricket pundit hinted that Rohit might have wanted to clear the air and set the record straight, especially as Gautam Gambhir had been getting credit for the decision to leave him out of the playing XI.

Gautam Gambhir was getting all the credit, and that's why Rohit Sharma decided to set the record straight: Sanjay Manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar while speaking on Star Sports said, “But there was also another reason why he was doing that interview. To clear the air. Somewhere I think Gambhir was getting all the credit for a brave call by leaving Rohit Sharma out. He wanted to set the record straight. Let’s be honest.”

Meanwhile, Sanjay Manjrekar slammed Rohit Sharma’s comments about his future in the Indian Test team. The commentator said that retirement is a personal decision, but he stressed that decisions regarding a player's place in the squad and playing XI will be made by the national selectors. He noted that the chairman of selectors must determine the player’s future.

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Sanjay Manjrekar criticizes Rohit Sharma's comments on his Test future

Manjrekar further explained his point of view, “I loved that interview. That first bit where he said I couldn’t have another out-of-form batter in the XI, and that’s why he opted out. But there were some other emotions too. One thing that a lot of players say is that ‘I will decide my future.’ I have a problem with that. You can decide your future with regards to retirement, but somebody else has got the job to decide your future as a player and captain. That’s the chairman of selectors.”

The cricket pundit signed off by saying, “You have got to respect the hierarchy, however big you are. If the chairman of selectors is strong and he believes in the long-term health of Indian cricket, he has the power to decide whether your career should end now, or you get a few more matches, or one more series. Retirement is in your hands, but playing for India is not.”