Rohit Sharma would've never quit Test cricket had BCCI not given him ultimatum, told Agarkar 'I am not finished': Report

[rollingstoned]

Rohit Sharma would've never quit Test cricket had BCCI not given him ultimatum, told Agarkar 'I am not finished': Report

Rohit Sharma's fate was sealed when he struggled to score runs against New Zealand and then Australia.

 

 

While the entire Indian cricket community – fans and players alike – are trying to come to terms with Virat Kohli's retirement from Test cricket, spare a thought about Rohit Sharma. The former Test captain, who not too long ago was keen to lead India in England, announced his retirement from the format with a little over a month left for the tour. Sure enough, Rohit did not have the best time as India's red-ball captain, losing 0-3 to New Zealand at home and then surrendering to Australia 1-3 to relinquish the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. But still, having won the Champions Trophy in March and the T20 World Cup less than a year ago, the belief was that Rohit would at least make that trip to England to salvage some pride. 

 

Rohit Sharma retired from Test cricket last Thursday(AFP)

 

However, the BCCI had other plans in mind. A day before Rohit announced his retirement on social media, X was up and running with its own theories, with fans and certain reporters expecting some big development surrounding the Indian captain, and less than 24 hours later, Rohit's decision was final. Just like that, his Test career, which despite the promise, never quite took off like T20Is or ODIs, was over.

 

So what changed between that podcast with Michael Clarke, where he declared his availability for the England tour, and Thursday? The answer is simple. The BCCI and more particularly its selection committee took the call for Rohit. A report in The Dainik Jagran claims that the BCCI wanted to move in a fresher and newer direction for the third World Test Championship cycle, for which they did not deem Rohit fit.

 

Speculations about Rohit's Test future first began when he was left out of India's Playing XI for the fifth and final Test against Australia in Sydney. While it was then believed that Rohit and head coach Gautam Gambhir took the call, the Jagran reports claim that when Rohit announced 'I am not going anywhere', it was a way of telling the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee 'I am not finished yet'. The report suggests 'Rohit would have never quit Tests' had it not been for the BCCI's ultimatum, which eventually took place on the evening of May 7, leading to Rohit's retirement.

 

Please note that The Hindustan Times could not independently verify the report.

Rohit Sharma as India captain

While it clearly isn't the smoothest exit for Rohit, you have to feel for the man. Since taking over as India's Test captain after Kohli stepped down from the post in January 2022, Rohit has done his bit. He captained India to a series win over Australia and England at home, while leading from the front. He scored 242 runs with one century as India retained the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and another 400, including two hundreds, helping beat England 3-1 at home in a series which Kohli skipped entirely for the birth of his second child. 

 

The stars stopped shining for Rohit in the second half of last year, when his tally of 90 runs from 91 runs from 6 innings against New Zealand cost India their first Test series defeat at home in 12 years, and later of course in Australia, where he struggled to score even a single run, finally finishing with 31 from five innings at a dismal average of 6.20. Under Rohit, India also did not lose a Test series in South Africa for the first time since 2010-11.

 

 

 

[Serpico]

I am really looking forward to not seeing these headlines every month, from now onwards

[BacktoCricaddict]

If this is true, then he has no one to blame but himself. These guys need "how to recognize when your time is up" or "shelf-life" training. Leave when you are close to your top and you will be adored forever.

 

 

[goose]

 

obviously he was axed. check his recent podcast with michael clarke. he was all set to tour

[rollingstoned]

49 minutes ago, goose said:

 

obviously he was axed. check his recent podcast with michael clarke. he was all set to tour

well in that case certain people in bcci and tm deserve a lot of credit.

[bowl_out]

So what if he was given an ultimatum. I'm actually happy that BCCI had the balls to do it

[Gollum]

Credit to BCCI. Also laughable to see him being bracketed with Ashwin and Kohli in SM in context of recent retirements, those two are far ahead in red ball. Sure when Rohit hangs up his boots in ODIs, he should be celebrated. But for most of his career he has been a mediocre, pampered journeyman in tests, very lucky to get captaincy. After what he did to Bumrah in BGT, his mid match politics in Sydney, he should have been axed on the spot. 

[Ultimate_Game]

Averaged around 7 in his last 2 series against NZ at home and Aus Away over 6 Tests and he wasn't "finished"? BCCI can pick me for Tests and there wouldn't be any drop off in India's performance. I can flail around and average in single digits as well.

[Stan AF]

Yeah....well!!.... காலமும் நேரமும் யாருக்காகவும் காத்திருக்காது

[vvvslaxman]

Why does a guy who plays as an "impact sub" a lazy role wants to play Tests. Never gets it. You could be on the field for 5 days. 

[JazzyB]

Most ovwrrated test cricketer ever

 

absolute clueless batsman when ball does anything and would not have survived so long in tests if not for the lobby

 

played 65 tests too many