During the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Jaydev Shah was in charge of the Indian men’s team. He confirmed that Rohit Sharma asked to retire from Test cricket. This clears up some speculation about a big change in the team’s recent history as some thought BCCI bosses pushed or forced him to do so.
Shah said Rohit was left out of the fifth Test in Sydney. At that time Rohit said he was stepping back due to his performance. BCCI wanted to prepare for the future and thought Rohit might not last in Tests for the next two years. Shah added that Rohit wanted the team to develop new talent for the next World Test Championship cycle.
After having a baby he came back and didn’t score runs,” Shah said on the Voices of Impact podcast with Arjun Mirani. “He was not in form and was left out of the last Test, but then he won the Champions Trophy. He probably felt it was time to focus on white ball cricket and give another player a chance. The board was preparing for the next championship. It’s a two year cycle so new players need to get ready.”
Read Also:- Ryan ten Doeschate Defends Shubman Gill After Run Out in 5th Test
Rohit didn’t say he was retiring right after the Test series against Australia. He waited till May, weeks before India picked the team for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England.
It seemed like Rohit couldn’t last for two more years. He was also hurt and missed a couple of IPL games. I think that was his thought process, to leave so the team could grow in the new cycle. Big decisions are taken by big people like Rohit,” Shah added.
India have named Shubman Gill as captain for England. The team is 2-1 down in the five-Test series with the final match at the Oval in London.
