I Stood Down….Not Going Anywhere: Rohit Sharma Clarifies On Missing Sydney Test Of Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Sydney: Breaking silence over missing the Sydney Test, India cricket team captain Rohit Sharma said he ‘stood down’ from the team. Rohit’s dismal performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy drew criticism. Fans and experts had scrutinised his form as India were left trailing 1-2 heading into the 5th Test.

Although some reports claimed that he was dropped out of the team in the Sydney Test, Rohit claimed that he had opted out. He was replaced by Jasprit Bumrah as the captain. Rohit made this revelation while talking to Star Sports during the lunch break on Day 2. He claimed that he decided to step aside for an in-form player. Rohit claimed that he had a discussion with coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar regarding the matter, and they supported his call.

“It’s not any of the three (laughs.) I stood down. I will say one thing and it will have 50 interpretations. I had a chat with the coach and the selector was very simple. I am not making runs at the moment. I am not in form and it’s an important game. We need an in-form player. Our batting order isn’t in form at the moment. So out of form players can’t carry the team at the moment. So this was the simple thing in my mind. It was my understanding that I should tell the coach and the selector and they backed my call,” said Rohit.

Rohit had scored just 31 runs in 5 innings at an average of 6.20. When the presenter was saying that it was an honour to have him as the captain of the Indian team, Rohit said he wasn’t going anywhere and laughed. He also confirmed, in the same interview, that he isn’t retiring now.