Sanjay Manjrekar suggests Rohit Sharma’s interview aimed to clarify his absence from the Sydney Test amid growing credit for Gautam Gambhir’s bold decisions.
January 6, 2025: India’s Test captain Rohit Sharma recently addressed his absence from the Sydney Test against Australia in an explosive interview with Star Sports. Amid swirling rumors of him being dropped due to poor form, Rohit clarified that he “opted out” voluntarily to give the team a better chance. However, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has suggested that the interview wasn’t just about clarification but also about addressing the growing perception that Gautam Gambhir was being credited for the decision to leave Rohit out.
Manjrekar’s Take on Rohit’s Interview
“There was another reason why he did that interview. To clear the air. Somewhere, I think Gambhir was getting all the credit for making a bold call by leaving Rohit Sharma out. Rohit wanted to set the record straight,” said Manjrekar.
He further praised Rohit’s honesty in admitting his poor form but highlighted underlying emotions in the interview. “That first bit where Rohit said he couldn’t have another out-of-form batter in the XI was commendable, but there were layers of emotions there,” he added.
Selectors Hold the Power
Manjrekar also addressed the broader context of Rohit’s future in the Indian Test team. He pointed out that while Rohit can decide his retirement, the final say on his continuation in the team rests with the chairman of selectors.
“One thing that a lot of players say is that ‘I will decide my future.’ But that’s only with retirement. Playing for India is not in a player’s hands. That’s the chairman of selectors’ job. If he believes in the long-term health of Indian cricket, he can decide whether your career should end or continue,” Manjrekar explained.
What Lies Ahead for Rohit Sharma?
Rohit Sharma’s performance in the series — scoring just 31 runs in three matches — has placed significant pressure on him. While his interview aimed to clear doubts surrounding his absence, the final decision now lies with the selectors.
As Indian cricket transitions into a critical phase with upcoming Test tours and the World Test Championship Final looming, all eyes will be on whether Rohit Sharma gets another chance to cement his place in the squad.
Tags:
Rohit Sharma Interview, Gautam Gambhir Decision, Sanjay Manjrekar Comments, Indian Cricket Leadership, Test Cricket India, Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Indian Selectors Role
