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"Last Match Me Woh Drop Hua...": Secret Behind Rohit's Test Retirement Revealed

Aashay Chopade

Rohit Sharma retirement (Source:@time__square/X.com)Rohit Sharma retirement (Source:@time__square/X.com)

Indian Test cricket has entered a new era after the retirement of greats like Ravichandran Ashwin, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Since the trio has decided to hang up their boots, there have been speculations that they have been forced to retire.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's retirement especially created a lot of drama. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli both played a Ranji game after the Australian tour and thus there is a widespread belief that they wanted to continue in the format.

Jaydev Shah Opens Up On Rohit's Mindset Behind Test Retirement

However, many officials have dismissed such speculations, and now the Indian team's Manager in BGT 2024-25, Jaydev Shah, has also made it clear that it was Rohit's own decision to retire. Jaydev Shah is the current President of Saurashtra Cricket Association, and in a podcast on the YouTube channel - VOICES OF IMPACT with Arjun Mirani, the administrator opened up about the series of events that led to the retirement.

Jaydev first called Ashwin's retirement in the middle of the series a surprise, and then provided his analysis on Rohit's retirement. Shah talked about how Rohit was out of form in the series and also stated that he was dropped from the last Test match. 

The former Indian team manager mentioned that Rohit probably felt that he should concentrate more on white-ball cricket after the Champions Trophy win, with injuries also haunting his progress.

"Rohit toh injured tha, woh aaya, he had a baby. He couldn't make runs, thik hai out of form that. Last match me bhi woh drop hua. Phir mere khayal se woh Champions Trophy jeeta, toh I think he thought that I play white-ball more than red-ball and give another cricketer a chance. Because mere hisab se board aisa dekh raha tha, ki we have to prepare our team for the next championship," Jaydev Shah said on VOICES OF IMPACT with Arjun Mirani.

Rohit Keeps India's Long-Term Future Ahead Of Personal Ambitions

Jaydev Shah also made it clear that BCCI wanted to prepare for the two-year cycle of the next WTC, and it looked highly unlikely that Rohit would play Test cricket for two more years.

Thus, according to Jaydev Shah. Rohit decided to retire from Test cricket and allow younger players to settle into the team in the fresh WTC cycle.

"Two-year cycle hai, usme he agar naye players set ho jaate hai aur hum pahuch jaate hai toh zada acha hai. Kyuki aisa nahi lag raha tha ki Rohit can take it for two years, as per his injury. IPL me bhi 2 match nahi khela, woh thoda groin me tha. Mere khayal se wohi usko lag raha tha ki thik hai abhi chod deta hu, I will give new players a chance as this is a two-year cycle and let a team grow and build nicely with new players." 

The host of the Podcast asked Jaydev Shah whether it was Rohit's own decision to retire. In reply, the guest clearly mentioned that it was Rohit's own decision, and a player of his stature makes their own decision in Indian cricket.

"Yes, of course, such big players, Rohit and yeh log he decision lete hai."

Thus, it has been emphasised again that Rohit Sharma was not forced to retire, and the decision was made keeping in mind the long-term future of Indian cricket.