BGT 2024-25: "I have stood down for just one match, not retired from test cricket," Rohit Sharma opens up on SCG test exclusion

Rohit Sharma managed only 31 runs in three tests against Australia.

India captain Rohit Sharma has confirmed that he is not retiring yet from test cricket, against the public belief following his exclusion from the fifth BGT 2024-25 test in Sydney. Rohit also revealed who made the decision of him not playing in the SCG test.

Jasprit Bumrah, who had led India to a famous win in Perth, walked out at the toss in Sydney on Friday morning. Speculations had been there about Rohit not playing in the Sydney test owing to his poor form with the bat.

On the eve of the test, head coach Gautam Gambhir had refused to confirm Rohit’s participation in the match. Sharma was then seen not being involved much in the training and nets on Thursday.

At lunch break on day 2, Rohit gave an interview to Star Sports to talk about what went behind the scenes before the call was finally made in Sydney, and what’s his mindset.

I stood down because runs were not coming: Rohit Sharma

In an open and honest interview, Rohit Sharma revealed that it was his call to step away from the Sydney test owing to his poor returns with the bat. He scored 31 runs in five innings on the Australia tour, and averaged only 10.9 in his last 15 innings, starting from the home season.

Rohit told Star Sports, “I stood down. I told the selectors and coach that runs are not coming from my bat, so I decided to step away.”

Sharma also confirmed that he is not thinking of retirement from test cricket at the moment and hopes to find back form.

“I have not retired. I have just stepped down from this match. Runs are not coming now, but not guaranteed it’ll not come 5 months later. I’ll work hard.”

India’s next test series is in England in June.

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