‘Gambhir was getting all the credit’ – Former India batter reveals reason behind Rohit Sharma’s defiant interview

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma came out and issued a statement on his future plans on day two of the SCG Test match. The 37-year-old spoke to Irfan Pathan and Jatin Sapru on Star Sports after opting out of the final game. Rohit revealed he had ‘stepped down’ for the game instead of being dropped due to poor form. 

During the course of the same interview, Rohit also said that he wasn’t looking to retire with a defiant ‘I am not going anywhere”. Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has come out and revealed the likely reason behind Rohit’s interview to the broadcaster. The 59-year-old felt India’s skipper wanted to ‘set the record straight’. 

Manjrekar said “But there was also another reason why he was doing that interview. To clear the air. Somewhere I think Gambhir was getting all the credit for a brave call by leaving Rohit Sharma out. He wanted to set the record straight. Let's be honest. I loved that interview. That first bit where he said, I couldn't have another out-of-form batter in the XI, and that's why he opted out. But there were some other emotions, too”

Sanjay Manjrekar asks selectors to take decisions on player’s futures

Indian cricket coach Gautam Gambhir addressed the media at the end of the SCG Test. The 43-year-old hinted that both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are the best possible judges as far as their Test match futures are concerned. Gambhir also asked the players to take part in domestic red-ball tournaments. 

While speaking about player’s deciding their futures, Manjrekar said “One thing that a lot of players say is that 'I will decide my future'. I have a problem with that. You can decide your future with regards to retirement, but somebody else has got the job to decide your future as a player and captain," 

The former India batter went onto add “That's the chairman of selectors. You have got to respect the hierarchy, however big you are. If the chairman of selectors is strong and he believes in the long-term health of Indian cricket, he has the power to decide whether your career should end now, or you get a few more matches, or one more series. Retirement is in your hands, but playing for India is not,"