I am not going anywhere: Rohit dismisses retirement rumours in a interview

With reports flooding in over Rohit Sharma is not India's Test scheme in future, the captain rubbished the media reports in a interview with the broadcasters of India vs Australia Test series during fifth Test on Saturday. 

 

"I have not retired," Rohit said while talking to Jatin Sapru and Irfan Pathan during the Lunch break on Day 2 of IND vs AUS 5th Test.  Check India vs Australia 5th Test Day 2 live score, match updates and full scorecard here

 

 

"I am not going anywhere": Rohit Sharma dismisses retirement rumours in fiery statement 

Senior India batter Rohit Sharma emphatically put to rest retirement speculations on Saturday, declaring that stepping aside for the ongoing Sydney Test was a form-related decision, not an indication of hanging up his boots.

 

 

"I stood down, I did not retire"

  Facing questions about his absence, Rohit explained, “I have not retired. I stood down, that is what I would say.” He revealed that his conversation with the coach and selectors was straightforward: “I am not able to score runs. There is no form. This is an important match, and we need a player who is in form.”

 

The 37-year-old batter insisted the decision was made with the team’s best interests in mind. "In our batting line-up, form is crucial. You cannot carry too many out-of-form players. This thought was clear in my mind—I am not going anywhere."

 

Team’s backing for a tough decision

  Rohit shared that the team management and selectors supported his call. “They told me, ‘You’ve played for so many years, you know what you’re doing.’ It wasn’t easy for me to take this decision, but when everything was laid out, it was the sensible thing to do.”

 

A challenging phase in Rohit’s career

  Rohit’s absence paved the way for Shubman Gill’s inclusion in the crucial fifth Test as India trailed 1-2 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Rohit’s form in 2024 had been a concern, with just 619 runs in 26 innings across 14 matches, averaging 24.76. His current series tally was only 31 runs in five innings since joining after the Perth Test.

 

Despite the slump, Rohit shut down any notion of stepping away from Tests. “This is not a retirement decision. I’m out because the bat isn’t working. But who’s to say it won’t work after two months or six months? Life changes every second, and I believe things will change.”

 

"I know what I want in life"

  Rohit spoke about staying grounded amid external noise. “I have played this game for many years. No one with a mic, a laptop, or a pen can decide when I should go. I am a sensible, mature man and a father of two children. I know what I want in life,” he asserted.

 

Decision made after arriving in Sydney

  Rohit clarified that the call to step aside was made after reaching Sydney, not immediately after the Melbourne defeat. “After the Melbourne Test, there were just two days before the next game, and one was New Year’s Eve. I didn’t want to bring this up then. But it was on my mind—I was trying and trying, but it wasn’t happening. I had to accept that and step aside.”

 

"Focus on the present"

  He emphasised his belief in focusing on immediate goals rather than thinking too far ahead. “Our focus was on these five matches—we had to retain the trophy and win. When decisions are made, they are made for the team.”

 

Praise for Bumrah’s leadership

  Rohit reserved special praise for Jasprit Bumrah, who took over captaincy duties. “The way Bumrah sets standards with the ball is absolute class. I saw him in 2013, and his growth has been phenomenal—he has only gone from strength to strength.”

  Full Text of Rohit Sharma's inteview with broadcasters Star Sports 

   "The discussion (before the start today) was that there is lot (of assistance for the bowlers) on the wicket and it will be a game of patience. Our batters struggled and we knew it won't be easy for their batters as well, the challenge is to maintain pressure consistently and we have five wickets in the session."  "Boys bowled really well and the catching was really good as well. The next session is going to be really crucial, this is what happens in Test cricket. Every session is crucial, we won the previous session hopefully we will win the next session as well. I stood down (talking about the decision to exclude himself from this game) that is what I would say. Basically the chat I had with the coach and selector was simple: I am not in form, it is an important match and we need a player in form. Not thinking too far ahead, right now what the team needs is the priority. I made this decision after we came here (Sydney), it was going on in my mind that it is important for me to step aside because I wasn't getting runs with the bat. When I arrived in Perth it was quite evident why we won that game, we had that 200-run (opening) partnership in the second innings which is what won us the game. KL Rahul and Jaiswal played really well, and they brought us into situation where we couldn't lose the game."    "I don't believe in what will happen in 6 months or 4 months time, I always stay in the present and think about what needs to be done right now. This is not a retirement decision, I am out of the game because I wasn't in form. Life changes everyday and I have full belief that things will change. I have to be true to be myself though and be realistic as well. I am sensible, matured and father of 2 kids, so I know what to do when. You need to understand what the team needs, if you do not think about the team, you don't want those kind of players. We call it a team, so always think about what the team needs. This is my personal thinking and this is how I played my cricket and this is how I am outside cricket as well. I am very transparent as a person. The way he (Bumrah) sets standards with the ball, he is absolute class. When I saw him for the first time in 2013, his graph has gone really high and has gone from strength to strength. Nothing is given in this format of the game, you got to earn it. What happens in leadership is, everyday you will not have a good day. Ideas and mindset can be the same, but sometimes the result won't work in your favour. We know that a lot of people are going to judge us, but I will never doubt myself. It could be wrong sometimes, but we all go there with a mindset to win. Like yesterday, we should have bowled on that wicket instead of batting, such things happen. I am not going anywhere."