Sydney, January 4: Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma on Saturday dismissed rumors of his retirement, clarifying that he decided to step aside for the ongoing Sydney Test due to poor form, not as a step toward quitting cricket.
“I am not retiring. I just took a break from this match because I wasn’t performing,” Rohit said during a tea break interview on Day 3 of the fifth Test against Australia. “I’m a mature, sensible person and a father of two. I know what I’m doing. Decisions about a player’s future aren’t made by people with laptops or cameras.”
Speculation of retirement arose following Rohit’s exclusion from the Indian XI for the final match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but the seasoned batter explained the decision stemmed from his struggles at the crease.
“The batting lineup has been under pressure, and we can’t have too many players out of form,” Rohit admitted. He managed just 31 runs in five innings during the series, adding to an underwhelming 2024 in Test cricket, where he scored 619 runs in 26 innings at an average of 24.76.
The 37-year-old said he consulted head coach Rahul Dravid and selectors before deciding to step down for the match. “They supported my choice, saying, ‘You’ve played long enough to know what’s best.’ It wasn’t easy, but it was the right move considering the team’s priorities,” Rohit shared.
Rohit also clarified that this decision wasn’t tied to the Melbourne Test loss. “I made the call after we reached Sydney. I realized my efforts weren’t yielding results, and it was time to accept reality. When leading or playing, my focus is always on the immediate objective. Right now, that’s retaining the trophy,” he said.
Addressing his critics, Rohit was candid. “Life in cricket changes daily. I believe things will turn around for me, though I must be realistic about my form. External opinions won’t decide my future; I’ve been in the game long enough to make my own decisions.”
Rohit also praised Jasprit Bumrah, who took over as captain for the match. “Bumrah’s leadership is exceptional. His growth since I first saw him in 2013 has been incredible,” he remarked.
With India trailing 1-2 in the series, Shubman Gill has replaced Rohit in the lineup for the decider. For now, Rohit Sharma’s message remains firm: this is a momentary pause, not the end.