'Was surprised when I heard term opting out': Ricky Ponting claims Rohit Sharma's Test career is over

Former Australia National Cricket Team skipper Ricky Ponting talked about the omission of Rohit Sharma from the Indian XI for the ongoing Sydney Test. He said that the snub was expected and that it would be difficult for him to come back now.

The last of Rohit Sharma in Test cricket probably was in Melbourne as the India National Cricket Team skipper was dropped from the team in the ongoing last match. The captain reportedly rested amid his poor form and made the decision in the interest of the team.

Rohit Sharma has looked torrid with the bat in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The India captain has struggled with his form and has been averaging just around 10 in the series, which says a lot about his poor outings with the bat in the longest format of the game.

Rohit Sharma was replaced by Shubman Gill, who was dropped from MCG to accommodate the captain at the top. In his absence, Jasprit Bumrah is leading the team and there are high chances that he might permanently take over the job in Tests.

You'd think it's probably a long way back for Rohit Sharma now in this format of the game - Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting feels that Rohit Sharma's omission was on the cards, adding that it will be a long way back for him. While speaking to ICC about the development, he explained:

“I think the reaction has been that they all sort of expected that it might happen. The chat's been for the last couple of days that everyone expected that Rohit would not play this game, that Shubman Gill would come back in and that (Jasprit) Bumrah would probably take over the captaincy again and that's the way it's turned out.”

“You'd think it's probably a long way back for Rohit Sharma now in this format of the game. India don't play a Test match, I believe, until the middle or late June, which is a long way away when you're sort of coming to the back end of your career.”

I think it will be a long - and probably difficult road - back for him - Ricky Ponting on Rohit Sharma

Ricky Ponting further hailed Rohit as a terrific player for India but mentioned that he is in the phase of his career where a comeback will be difficult. He added:

“I think he's been a terrific player for India so with those sort of guys, you wish them all the best and hope to see them back out there again, but as I said, I think it will be a long - and probably difficult road - back for him."

So the way that they've actually worded it, you can only take it at face value - Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting further talked about reports of Rohit opting out of the game, saying that he was surprised by the comment. He added that it was an interesting call from the team to leave out the captain in an important game. He explained:

“I was very surprised when I heard the term ‘opting out' coming into such an important game. We know he's been a great stalwart for Indian cricket over a long period of time.

“So the way that they've actually worded it, you can only take it at face value. We've got to believe what we're hearing coming out of the Indian camp, but being such a big game, knowing that they have to win this one to retain the trophy, it was an interesting time for one of their more experienced players to opt out."

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