According to Jaydev Shah, who managed the Indian men's squad during the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Rohit Sharma’s decision to retire from Test cricket was his own.

Since some still think he was pushed or even coerced into it by the bosses of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), it allays some rumors about one of the most significant events in the team's recent history.

Shah did mention that Rohit was "dropped" from the fifth Test in Sydney. At the time, Rohit said that his form had caused him to regress, and the BCCI wanted to prepare for the future since they thought he might not be able to compete in Test matches for the following two years.

However, he added, Rohit also wanted the team to build with new stars for the next World Test Championship cycle.

“He had a baby, he came back, and he couldn’t make runs. Okay, he was out of form. He was dropped from the last Test, but then he won the Champions Trophy. I think he thought it was time for him to play white ball more than red ball and give another cricketer a chance. I think the board was looking at things like, we have to prepare our team for the next championship. That’s a two-year cycle, so it’s better if new players get set and get there," Shah said in a podcast named Voices of Impact with Arjun Mirani.

Only in May, a few weeks before India's squad was selected for the current Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England, did Rohit declare his retirement from Tests.

“And it didn’t seem like Rohit could take it for two more years. He also had his injury; he didn’t play a couple of IPL matches because of that either. I think that’s what he thought, and left for the team to grow and build nicely in the new cycle. Such big decisions are taken by big people like Rohit themselves," Shah added.

Shubman Gill was named England's captain by India. The squad is now behind 2-1 in the five-Test series, with the last game taking place at the Oval in London.