Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri speculated about Rohit Sharma’s potential retirement from Test cricket. Shastri suggested this possibility wouldn’t be surprising given Sharma’s age and the emergence of younger players.
There is ongoing speculation regarding Rohit Sharma’s future in Test cricket. It has only intensified on the eve of the final Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test match in Sydney. As TimesofIndia.com had reported, Rohit is due to announce his retirement after the series concludes.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed the media in a pre-match press conference. He stated the final XI eleven would be determined after assessing the pitch conditions on the morning of the match. Gambhir did not confirm whether Sharma would be included in the starting lineup.
Rohit Sharma’s performance in the ongoing series has been underwhelming. He has scored only 31 runs in three matches, averaging 6.2.
“He’ll take a call on his career but I won’t be shocked at all (if Sharma retires) because he’s not getting younger. There are other young players in the wings, there’s Shubman Gill, a player of his quality averaging over 40 in the year 2024 and not playing.”
“It tricks your brain as to what is he doing sitting on the bench and warming it. So I won’t be surprised but it’s his call. At the end of the day, if India had qualified for the World Test Championship (final) or if they still qualify for the final, then it’s another thing altogether.”
“Otherwise, I think it might just be the opportune time – but (if Sharma plays) he should go out with a blaze of glory. If I was anywhere near Rohit Sharma, I’ll tell him, ‘Just go and smash it. Just go out there and have a blast’.”
Shastri suggests that if Sharma does decide to retire, it would be fitting for him to conclude his Test career with a memorable performance. He encouraged Sharma to adopt an aggressive approach in his potential final match.
“Just as it is when you’re trying to play the way you are at the moment, it’s not looking great. Go out there and take the attack to the opposition and then let’s see what happens,” said Shastri on The ICC Review show.
Shastri believes Sharma’s recent dip in form stems from a deviation from his natural, attacking style of play. He drew parallels with Australian opener Usman Khawaja’s struggles.
“I think from the outside when I see it, I think he’s a little late on the ball. His feet aren’t moving as well as they normally do. Even at his prime, his footwork was minimal, but there was more. He was more towards the ball. At the moment, I think he’s caught on the crease.”
“It is much like (Usman) Khawaja in the Australian team, where you’re neither forward nor back. And I think when Rohit is moving more towards the ball and the intent is there to take on the opposition, that’s when the right signals go from the brain to the feet to do what they have to do.”
“I want him to just get out there, smash it, try and win this Test match. You might have lost a Test. You have not lost the series as yet. Try and win this Test match to keep that Border-Gavaskar Trophy. It’s going out there and not playing his natural game (that’s affecting him),” he elaborated.
The fifth and final Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on Friday. Australia currently hold a 2-1 lead in the series. A victory for India in Sydney is crucial to keep their hopes alive for a spot in the next year’s World Test Championship final.
India’s qualification also depends on Australia’s performance in their upcoming two-Test series in Sri Lanka later this month. India need Australia to lose or draw at least one of those matches to secure their place in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s in June.
