India captain Rohit Sharma has sparked debate by insisting he made the call to drop himself from the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney. Speaking publicly for the first time since being dropped, Sharma rejected claims that selectors axed him and said he was simply trying to protect his team’s chances.
Sharma revealed he had a conversation with coach and selector, stating that India needs an “in-form player” due to their struggling batting order. He emphasized that his decision was not driven by a desire to retire but rather to step away from the game if he couldn’t perform.
The 37-year-old has struggled in recent Tests, scoring just 164 runs in eight matches against Bangladesh, New Zealand and Australia at an average of 10.93. Despite this, Sharma remains committed to his sport and is focused on breaking back into the team after being dropped.
Sharma’s comments come amid speculation about his future in cricket, with some questioning whether he will retire after the Sydney Test. However, the India captain insists that his career is not over and that he has made a decision to take a break if needed.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jan/04/india-vs-australia-captain-rohit-sharma-axed-fifth-test-sydney