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"If I Was Coach...": Ravi Shastri Weaves Rohit Sharma's Perfect Test Swan Song

Soumyajit Dutta

Ravi Shastri and Rohit Sharma [Source: @ImHydro45/X]Ravi Shastri and Rohit Sharma [Source: @ImHydro45/X]

Rohit Sharma’s recent retirement from Test cricket followed a challenging phase in his career, marked by India’s World Test Championship series loss in Australia and his own struggles with the bat. 

Former head coach Ravi Shastri later revealed he had discussed Rohit’s Test exit during an IPL encounter, emphasizing he would have handled the situation differently had he still been at the helm.

Shastri Reveals His Plan for Rohit's Test Comeback In BGT

Shastri, known for his assertive coaching style, argued that Rohit Sharma’s absence in Sydney, with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy poised at 2-1, signalled a missed opportunity. He believed the series was still alive and stressed the importance of backing senior players despite form slumps.

Speaking on The ICC Review with host Sanjana Ganesan, Shastri shared details of their conversation. 

“ I saw Rohit a lot at the toss. At the toss, you don't get enough time to speak. Though I did put my hand on his shoulder in one of the games. I told him, if I was coach you would have never not played that last Test match. You would have played because the series wasn’t over. I’m not someone who throws in the towel at 2-1,” Shastri said as quoted by ICC.

Shastri Acknowledges Tough Pitch

Shastri then highlighted the Sydney pitch’s challenging nature while stressing on the fact that Rohit's presence could have led India to a far better outcome.

"That was a 30-40 run game. And that's exactly what I told him. The pitch was so spicy in Sydney. Whatever kind of form he was in, he's a match-winner. If he had gone, sensed the situation, sensed the condition and smashed it for even 35-40 at the top, you never know. That series would have been level. But that's each one to his own," Shastri said.

Shastri further revealed how the disappointment of Rohit's Test slump affected him. “Other people have different styles. This would have been my style and I let him know it. It's sitting in my heart for a long time. I had to get it out. And I told him that,” concluded Shastri.

Rohit's Test Exit and New Era For India

Notably, Rohit managed just 31 runs across three Tests in Australia, averaging 10.93 in his final eight matches. Nevertheless, the Test stalwart's retirement, coupled with Virat Kohli’s recent exit, marks a transition for India as they gear up for a five-Test series in England, launching the new World Test Championship cycle.