Rohit Sharma Bids Farewell to Test Cricket: Signs of Retirement Were Clear
On the eve of the Boxing Day Test against Australia, India captain Rohit Sharma made a bold decision to return to the top of the batting order. After missing the initial matches due to the birth of his second child, Rohit had previously batted in the middle order to maintain team balance. Unfortunately, his return to open did not yield the desired results, as he registered two more single-digit scores, contributing to India’s loss in the Test and increasing the pressure on him as captain.
Rohit’s Struggles at the Top Order
Following his decision to move back to the opening position, Rohit faced challenges right from the start. His performances in the preceding Tests were underwhelming, with single-digit scores in both Adelaide and Brisbane. This prompted him to have a candid conversation with Shubman Gill, who had to sit out due to this adjustment in the lineup. Despite a change in batting order and personnel, Rohit’s form did not improve. His failure to score heavily in the Melbourne Test raised eyebrows, especially after India lost the match. The team’s dismal performance following a whitewash at home against New Zealand only compounded the issues, leading to a growing sense of dissatisfaction among stakeholders, including senior BCCI officials.
Impact of R Ashwin’s Retirement
The situation worsened for the Indian team when R Ashwin unexpectedly announced his mid-series retirement. This decision, coupled with Rohit’s struggles and the shuffle of players, created an atmosphere of uncertainty within the squad. A senior BCCI official expressed concern over the team’s direction, suggesting that changes were necessary to regain control of the narrative surrounding the team. As pressure mounted on Rohit, it became clear that the team was struggling to find its footing with the Border Gavaskar Trophy approaching, raising questions about Rohit’s place in the lineup.
Rohit’s Departure from the Playing XI
As the New Year approached, Rohit was eventually omitted from the Playing XI for the SCG Test. While the Indian camp claimed that he “opted out,” it was evident that performance issues played a significant role in this decision. In a mid-match interview, Rohit attempted to quell speculation about his future in Test cricket, but many observers noted that his last appearance for the team had been at the MCG. The impending World Test Championship cycle added urgency to the selectors’ decisions, leading them to consider a younger leadership option instead of maintaining the status quo with Rohit. As discussions about a potential leadership vacuum arose, it became apparent that both Rohit’s batting and captaincy were no longer aligned with the team’s future goals.
Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Sports, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.
