Srinagar: As the two stalwarts of Indian cricket Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli made sudden Test cricket retirement, things are getting cvlear day by day what went behind the scene and why the two made such a decision suddenly.
Rohit Sharma’s sudden announcement ahead of the team’s five-match Test series against England, starting June 20, raised speculations on his reasons for retirement.
According to a report, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rejected Rohit’s proposal, which was similar to MS Dhoni’s, leading the Hitman to step away from the longest format of cricket.
Rohit expressed his desire to travel to England, lead the team in the initial matches, and then announce his retirement during the series. However, the BCCI rejected the proposal, citing a need for consistency in leadership. According to the report, the Board offered Rohit the opportunity to go to the series.
“Selectors wanted consistency during the series and offered Sharma the opportunity to go to the series, but not as captain. He decided to retire instead,” the report stated.
The decision prompted Rohit to call time on his red-ball career immediately, just weeks before the Indian squad announcement for the series. Sources close to Indian cricket told the publication that while Rohit was still mentally prepared to take on one last Test-match challenge, the idea of finishing on his own terms was not entertained by the BCCI.
According to the report, the selectors have had talks with Gill and Pant informally, but a final decision is still pending over captaincy.
“The selection committee reportedly had an ‘informal talk’ with both Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, who have been shortlisted as potential candidates to lead Team India. But they remain divided in the debate.”
One selector reportedly has reservations about Gill due to the uncertainty around his place in the playing XI.
“One selector at the BCCI has reservations over giving Gill the captaincy, given that his place on the side is not guaranteed, and suggested he would be better suited to the vice-captaincy role,” the report read.
