Rohit Sharma stunned everyone by his decision to opt out of the ongoing BGT 2024 SCGT Test between India and Australia. Battling poor form with the bat, Rohit decided to give the Test a miss and had Jasprit Bumrah captain the team in his absence.
Rohit Sharma had also missed the first Test in Perth due to paternity leave. In Rohit’s absence, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah led the team in the first match of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth, which is the only Test India has won in months.
With Rohit Sharma’s Test future in doubt, rumors of who will be the next captain of the Indian team in Test cricket have begun. Even Rohit Sharma spoke about the issue and said that the youngsters should work hard and earn the right to be India’s future Test captains because no one ‘gets it on a plate’.
He described it as a 'wonderful honor,' but added that anyone considering taking on the high-pressure post should first appreciate the 'value of cricket'.
Rohit made his comments during a mid-match interview at the Syndey Cricket Ground (SCG), where he discussed his captaincy future, among other topics.
He also emphasized that he had simply walked away from this Test and not 'retired', with the hope of returning to form in the coming months.
“It is difficult to say. It is very difficult to say. There are many boys. But I want them to understand the importance of cricket first. Understand the importance of this place. They are new boys. I know they should be given responsibility. But let them earn it. Let them play some hard-fought cricket for the next few years or whatever it is. Let them earn it. I am here now. Bumrah is here. Virat was here before him. MS Dhoni was here before him. Everyone has earned it,” Rohit said on Star Sports.
“No one has got it in a plate. No one should get it like this. Let them work hard. There is a lot of talent in the boys. But at the same time, I also want to say that it is not easy to become the captain of India. There is pressure. But it is a great honor. Our history and the way we play cricket have a great responsibility on both shoulders. So let them earn it,” he added.
Rohit Sharma, if he remains captain, will lead India in the three-ODI series against England next month and then ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
