Rohit Sharma refutes retirement talks in spite of Sydney absence
Regular India Test captain denies retirement speculation in television interview during fifth Border-Gavaskar Test.
India's Rohit Sharma has poured water on retirement speculation following his non-selection for the fifth and final Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test match in Sydney.
Averaging just 6.2 across his five innings across the series, Sharma is also yet to taste victory on the tour, also missing his side's win in the first Test in Perth due to the birth of his second child.
Jasprit Bumrah, as he did in the first Test, wore the captain's blazer for Sydney in Rohit's absence, with the batter "opting out" of the final contest.
India's stand-in captain however also is absent, departing the SCG after succumbing to injury while bowling in the second session.
Virat Kohli led the team in the field as the tourists bowled Australia out for 181.
Also read: Bumrah under injury cloud at the SCG
Speaking to Star Sports during the lunch break on day two, Rohit clarified his position.
"This is not a decision to retire, nor am I stepping away from the game," Rohit reiterated.
"I've stood down for this match because I wasn't scoring runs with the bat at the moment."
"There is no guarantee runs won't come five or two months down the line. I have seen a lot in cricket that life changes every second, every minute, every day."
"I have confidence in me that things can change, but at the same time I have to be realistic as well. So life won't change by what people with a mic, pen or laptop write or say.
"They can't decide when we should retire, when we should sit out, when we should captain. I am a sensible man, mature man, father of two kids. So I know what I need in life."
“I am not in form and it’s an important game. We need an in-form player. Our batting order isn’t in form at the moment. So out of form players can’t carry the team at the moment. So this was the simple thing in my mind. It was my understanding that I should tell the coach and the selector and they backed my call.’’
Rohit Sharma looks on towards the SCG outfield /// Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
As Rohit watches on from the India pavilion, the tourists have clawed the way back into the match, holding Australia to 101/5 at lunch on day two, before claiming the sixth wicket in Alex Carey (21) in the middle session.
India need to win the Sydney Test match to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and to keep slim hopes of snaring a World Test Championship Final spot alive.
A win for the hosts would both lock in an Australia/South Africa World Test Championship Final at Lord's in June, and end a 10-year absence of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the cabinet.