‘I am not going anywhere’ – Defiant Rohit Sharma ends retirement talk with massive statement during SCG Test

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma spoke on the sidelines of the SCG Test match during Lunch to the broadcasters. The 37-year-old reiterated that he wasn’t retiring anytime soon and the decision to not play the game was purely down to form. This will come as a massive relief for many fans amidst rumors of potential retirement doing the rounds. 

Rohit Sharma as quoted by CRICBUZZ said “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”

The 37-year-old has had a bad series with a mere 31 runs from five innings with an average of 6.2. His best score of 10 came during the second innings of the Brisbane Test while batting in the middle order. After promoting himself to open the batting, Rohit scored just 12 runs during the MCG Test match to raise questions on his batting. 

Rohit Sharma remains defiant 

Further speaking to Star Sports as quoted by CRICBUZZ, Indian skipper said “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”

Rohit also said “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”

The 37-year-old while speaking Jasprit Bumrah said “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 ever since and has gone from strength to strength”

Indian skipper ended by saying “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”