January 4, 2025: During the lunch break on Day 2 of the fifth and final Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy between Australia and India, Rohit Sharma opened up about his decision to opt out of the match, revealing the reasons behind his absence from the playing XI. The cricketing world was left surprised when Jasprit Bumrah, at the toss, confirmed that Rohit had chosen not to play, and the stand-in skipper stated that the decision was entirely Rohit’s own.
In his conversation with Star Sports, Rohit made it clear that his decision was not linked to any sort of retirement or stepping away from the format. He assured fans that he would continue to be part of the team moving forward but acknowledged the reality of his form. “I have stood down from this Test but I am not going anywhere. This is not a retirement or moving away from the format,” Rohit said, making it clear that his decision was driven by the need to take accountability for his form. “A guy with a mic, pen or laptop, what they write or say, it doesn’t matter. They cannot decide for us,” he added, brushing aside external opinions.
Rohit revealed that he made the call after arriving in Sydney, where he had a candid conversation with India’s coach and selectors. He admitted that his recent form had been poor, with runs not coming, and expressed the view that the team needed to field players in form for such an important Test. “The chat I had with the coach and the selector was simple: my bat is not scoring runs, I am not in form, this is an important match, and we need players who are in form,” he explained. Given that other players were also not in great form, Rohit felt it was the right time to stand down, adding that carrying an out-of-form player might hurt the team more than help it.
Rohit’s form had indeed been a matter of concern. Over the course of India’s historic 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand, Rohit managed only 91 runs across three Test matches, averaging 15.17. Before that, during the series in Bangladesh, he scored just 42 runs across two matches, with an average of 10.50. His struggles have continued in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he has only 31 runs in five innings across three matches, averaging a dismal 6.20 with a best score of 10.
Rohit’s decision to step down was met with admiration from former cricketers. Suresh Raina, the former Indian middle-order batsman, praised Rohit’s selflessness and leadership. On X (formerly Twitter), Raina posted: “Rohit Sharma exemplifies leadership through honesty and selflessness. Despite personal challenges, he prioritizes team success, stepping aside when necessary. His leadership in the current Test series reflects his unwavering dedication to India’s success. A true legend of the game.”
Sanjay Manjrekar, former Indian batter and commentator, also lauded Rohit for his honesty. “Hats off to Rohit! What a candid chat on Star Sports India. Honesty to the core. We could not carry too many out-of-form batters into Sydney, that’s why I opted out,” Manjrekar wrote on X, reflecting on Rohit’s decision to make way for players in better form.
During the post-day press conference, Rishabh Pant was also asked about Rohit’s absence. Pant described the decision as an emotional one, acknowledging the significant role that Rohit has played as captain. However, Pant emphasized that he wasn’t involved in the discussions and couldn’t provide much clarity on the specifics. “I think, definitely, it was an emotional decision. Because he has been captain for a long time, we see him as a leader of the team, but I think there are some decisions which you are not involved with, and it is a very management call, so I was not part of that conversation so cannot explain anything other than that,” Pant said.
Rohit’s decision reflects a mature approach, understanding that sometimes stepping aside for the good of the team is necessary, even when it means confronting one’s own struggles. His self-awareness and focus on the team’s success demonstrate leadership qualities that go beyond the traditional role of a captain.
