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Did Rohit Sharma Drop Test Cap Due To Poor Form? Childhood Coach Spills The Beans

Soumyajit Dutta

Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Lad [Source: @ThAnNuReddie/X]Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Lad [Source: @ThAnNuReddie/X]

Rohit Sharma’s sudden retirement from Test cricket, announced via Instagram hours after reports hinted at his potential removal as captain, has drawn scrutiny. His childhood coach, Dinesh Lad, dismissed speculation that the decision stemmed from poor form or haste.

Lad emphasized Rohit Sharma’s long-term focus on ICC titles. The move precedes India’s five-Test series in England, with selectors reportedly set to name a new captain.

Dinesh Lad Explains Rohit's Retirement Decision

Sharma, 38, endured a lean patch in Tests, scoring 186 runs across eight matches in 2024-25, including a struggle during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Despite this, Lad asserted the retirement aligns with Rohit’s goal to prioritise ODI cricket and nurture India’s next generation.

"He didn't take the decision in a hurry. It's not that he retired because of his form... He must have thought carefully about what was best for him. This decision has nothing to do with the upcoming tour of England. The main thought would have been to give the next generation a chance," Lad clarified to PTI.

Rohit’s retirement followed a solitary first-class appearance post the Australia tour, where he reiterated his commitment to Tests. However, sources suggest the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel had resolved to move on from his captaincy.

"His target was the World Test Championship, but unfortunately we didn’t qualify. Now, it’s the 2027 World Cup. I also want him to win the 2027 World Cup and then retire," Lad added.

The BCCI confirmed Rohit’s continuation in ODIs, where he aims to emulate MS Dhoni by securing all three ICC white-ball trophies. Sharma’s Test exit, marked by 4,301 runs and 12 centuries, shifts focus to India’s leadership transition ahead of the England series, with the squad announcement pending post-IPL 2025.