Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has revealed that Rohit Sharma is likely to announce his retirement from tests by the conclusion of the Sydney Test.
Former Cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri suggest that the Boxing Day test might have been Rohit Sharma’s final appearance in Test cricket, following his call to rest for the fifth test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
Rohit Sharma chose to sit out with the series on the line, having scored only 31 runs in five innings across three tests.
“I think it probably means that (if) India don’t qualify for the WTC final, the Melbourne Test will be Rohit Sharma’s last game,” Gavaskar said during the lunch break on day one.
“The WTC cycle will start with the England series, and the selectors would likely want someone available for the 2027 final.”
“We have probably seen Rohit Sharma for the last time in Test cricket,” he added.
“At the toss, Jasprit [Bumrah] mentioned it before I could ask,” Shastri said during commentary. “He said the captain opted to sit out and said the team would be stronger if Shubman Gill plays.
“It can happen when you’re out of sorts, you’re mentally not there, you don’t have the runs under your belt. It still is a brave call for a captain to own up and say, ‘I’m prepared to take the bench in this game,'” he added.
Rohit has struggled in Test cricket recently breaching 20-run mark only twice in his last eight matches.
Meanwhile, Shastri has alos hinted on Rohit’s call on test. “If there was a home season coming up he might’ve thought of carrying on, but I think he might just pull the plug at the end of this Test,” Shastri said.
“He’s not getting younger … it’s not that India don’t have youngsters. There are very, very good players in the wings and it’s time to build.”
“Tough decisions, but there is a time for everything,” Shasti added.
During the toss Jasprit Bumrah said “our captain has shown leadership by opting to rest in this game.”
“So typical of Rohit Sharma. Doing the right thing, doing what’s right for the team. But could not understand the ‘cloak & dagger’ around the issue. Wasn’t even talked about at the toss,” told Manjrekar.
“That’s once again side stepping the point. The bottom line is the captain of a country doesn’t opt out for the final Test match of a series, a final-deciding Test match,” Taylor said on ‘Triple M Cricket’.
“There is not doubt he’s been dropped. They just don’t say it. It doesn’t mean he’s dropped forever. It mean’s he’s missing this Test cause he’s been out of form, it’s not a crime, that’s unfortunately professional sport,” he added.
Rohit admitted that his poor form had been ‘mentally disturbing,” staing it’s frustrating “when you can’t do what you have come to do” after loss in the test at Melbourne Cricket Ground.