Ravi Shastri’s Fiery Verdict: ‘I Would’ve Never Let Rohit Sharma Skip Sydney Test’
In a candid revelation that has set the cricketing world abuzz, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has expressed his strong disapproval of Rohit Sharma‘s decision to sit out the decisive Sydney Test during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year. Shastri, known for his no-nonsense approach, believes that Rohit’s absence in the final match, which India ultimately lost as part of a 3-1 series defeat, might have cost the team a chance to level the series.
Speaking on The ICC Review with host Sanjana Ganesan, Shastri recalled a heartfelt conversation with Rohit during an IPL match in Mumbai. ‘I put my hand on his shoulder and told him, if I were the coach, you would have never skipped that last Test match,’ Shastri asserted. ‘The series was alive at 2-1. You don’t throw in the towel at that stage. It’s not the time to leave a team.’
Rohit, who faced immense scrutiny for his form during the series, managed a dismal average of just 6.20 across five innings in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Opting to prioritize team balance over personal milestones, he handed over the captaincy to Jasprit Bumrah for the Sydney Test in January 2025. However, Shastri remains convinced that Rohit’s presence could have turned the tide. ‘That game was a 30-40 run affair. The Sydney pitch was spicy, and Rohit, regardless of form, is a match-winner. If he had sensed the conditions and smashed a quick 35-40 at the top, who knows? We might have drawn the series,’ Shastri mused.
This critique comes in the wake of Rohit Sharma’s recent retirement from Test cricket, announced last week, marking the end of a storied red-ball career. The veteran batter, who debuted with a century against West Indies in Kolkata in 2013, finished with 4,301 runs in 67 Tests at an average of 40.57, including 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries. As captain, Rohit led India in 24 Tests, securing 12 victories and suffering nine losses. His final eight Tests, including home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, saw him struggle with an average of just 10.93, crossing 50 only once.
Earlier in June 2024, Rohit had also bid farewell to T20I cricket on a high note, leading India to a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the final of the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup in Barbados. This triumph added a glittering chapter to his white-ball legacy, contrasting with the challenges faced in his Test career’s twilight.
Shastri’s comments underline a deeper philosophy about resilience and leadership. ‘Everyone has their style, but this would have been mine. I’ve carried this in my heart for a long time, and I had to let Rohit know,’ he admitted. While opinions may differ on Rohit’s decision, there’s no denying the weight of Shastri’s perspective—rooted in a belief that champions fight until the very end. What are your thoughts on this heated debate? Should Rohit have played in Sydney, or was his decision a selfless act for the team’s greater good?