Rohit Sharma surprised everyone when he decided to ‘opt-out’ of the fifth and final Test between India and Australia in SCG of the recently concluded BGT 2024 Test series. Rohit scored just 31 runs in 3 matches and amid massive criticism from fans as well as experts, he decided to sit out of the match.
On Day 2 of the match, Rohit gave a forthright interview to Star Sports, talking about his decision to not play in the Sydney Test and what holds for him in the future.
Former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik feels the interaction was intended to soothe the audience, who had begun to demand answers.
Karthik stated that the interview was designed to dispel media claims that there was a schism in the Indian dressing room. Rohit reiterated that he will not retire from Test cricket, while Karthik stated that he will need to streamline his ideas in order to regain his lost form.
"I am sure that Rohit Sharma will be part of the ODI series vs England and the Champions Trophy, and whatever form he finds, he will need to find it there. If he finds form, he will feel that he can come back as a Test batter in England.
Knowing Sharma, I think that he gave that interview because there was a lot of news floating around. But I do think when he goes back, for the next couple of weeks he has no cricket, he will take his time, talk with his family, and then take a call on his future," Karthik said on Cricbuzz.
Rohit Sharma missed the first Test in Perth due to the birth of his second child but returned to the Indian XI second Test onwards.
"Before coming to the series, he has had the birth of the baby as well. I think he will spend time with his little ones but he will also make some decisions. There will be a lot of thoughts in his mind, which he will have to streamline and think what he needs to do.
There are decisions to be taken on his behalf and on Team India's behalf because, at this point, he has made it clear that he is not retiring. It was a good thing that he gave the interview to just cool down and calm down the public because there were a lot of speculations," he added.
Rohit Sharma is expected to captain the Indian team in the three-ODI series against England and then the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai and Pakistan.
