January 2, 2025: Ahead of the final Test of the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri weighed in on the speculation surrounding Rohit Sharma’s future in Test cricket. With India facing a 2-1 deficit in the series, Shastri suggested that the skipper, who has struggled with form throughout the series, could be considering retirement after the ongoing Test series. The remark came amid increasing speculation fueled by Gautam Gambhir’s earlier comments regarding Sharma’s position in the playing XI.
Shastri encouraged Sharma to play freely and aggressively, advising him to “smash it” and take the attack to the opposition rather than continue playing with inhibitions. He noted that Sharma’s current approach has not been yielding the desired results and suggested that a bold, carefree attitude could help bring out his best.
Reflecting on Sharma’s future, Shastri acknowledged that the 36-year-old’s age, combined with the emergence of younger players like Shubman Gill, could mean that Sharma might not continue in the longest format much longer. The fact that Gill, who averages over 40 in 2024, has been warming the bench while Sharma has struggled, has led to growing questions about the veteran’s future.
Despite his speculation, Shastri emphasized that any decision on retirement would be Sharma’s own. He noted that if India had secured a spot in the World Test Championship Final, it might influence the decision. However, Shastri hinted that the current series might be an ideal time for Sharma to bow out if he feels the end of his career is imminent, suggesting that it would be best for the captain to “go out with a blaze of glory.”
As the fifth Test kicks off in Sydney, India’s slim hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship Final remain alive. India must win the match to keep those hopes intact, with the added complication of needing Australia to falter in Sri Lanka to secure their spot at Lord’s in June. The pressure is on, and the next few days could be pivotal in both Sharma’s career and India’s Test future.
