Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has dismissed speculations about his retirement, clarifying that he is not stepping away from Test cricket. Instead, he cited his recent dip in form as the reason for sitting out the final Test match against Australia.
Speaking to Star Sports, Rohit addressed the rumors, saying, “The decision to sit out the Sydney Test should not be mistaken for retirement. Those holding a mic, pen, or laptop cannot decide when a player should retire.”
The Indian skipper emphasized his ability to make decisions for himself. “People outside the game can’t dictate when I should sit out or lead. I am a mature individual, a father of two, and capable of deciding my own future,” he stated.
The comments come amid intense criticism following India’s defeat in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which significantly dented their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final.
Clarifying his absence, Rohit said, “Not playing a match does not mean retiring or stepping away from cricket. I’m not sidelining myself; I’m here to contribute.”
In the ongoing five-match series, Australia leads 2-1. Rohit had missed the first Test due to the birth of his second child, with Jasprit Bumrah captaining India to a 295-run victory. However, under Rohit’s captaincy, India lost two matches while one ended in a rain-affected draw.
Rohit’s personal performance has been under scrutiny. He scored just 31 runs across six innings in the series, only marginally exceeding Jasprit Bumrah’s tally of 30 wickets. “I wasn’t scoring runs, which is why I sat out the Sydney Test,” Rohit explained. “There’s no guarantee of runs—sometimes it takes a couple of innings, sometimes more. Cricket is unpredictable; things can change in minutes.”
Rohit Sharma, who has represented India in 67 Tests, has amassed 4,301 runs, including 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries.
