Rohit Sharma Opens Up on Father’s Reaction to Test Retirement and Cherished Cricket Memories

In a heartfelt revelation, former India Test and T20I captain Rohit Sharma shared an intimate glimpse into his personal life, recounting his father’s reaction to his retirement from Test cricket. Speaking at the launch of Puja Pajari’s book, The Diary of a Cricketer’s Wife, in Mumbai on Thursday, Rohit reflected on the bittersweet moment. ‘He holds red-ball cricket close to his heart and was understandably a bit disappointed when I announced my retirement. Yet, he was happy for me at the same time,’ Rohit remarked with a mix of nostalgia and gratitude.

Digging deeper into his past, Rohit painted a vivid picture of his journey, crediting his parents for their unwavering support. ‘From the day I was born until now, the sacrifices my mother and father made have been immense. They gave up so much to ensure my brother and I could pursue our dreams,’ he said. Now, as a father himself, Rohit admitted that the true weight of those sacrifices has only recently dawned on him. ‘When you’re young, you don’t fully grasp it. But sitting back now, I deeply appreciate what they went through for me,’ he added, his voice tinged with emotion.

One of the standout anecdotes from the event was Rohit’s recollection of his father’s unique passion for Test cricket over the modern, fast-paced formats. Despite Rohit’s staggering world record of 264 runs in an ODI against Sri Lanka in 2014—the highest individual score in ODI history—his father’s reaction was surprisingly understated. ‘I still remember that day. He just said, “Okay, well played, well done.” There was no big fuss about it being a world record,’ Rohit chuckled. In contrast, even a modest score of 30 or 40 in a Test match would spark lengthy discussions. ‘That’s the kind of love he has for the game—the traditional, gritty format of Test cricket,’ Rohit emphasized.

Rohit’s father, who worked in a transport company, played a pivotal role in shaping his early career. ‘He sacrificed a lot so we could have the life we wanted,’ Rohit shared. Having witnessed his son’s ascent through age-group cricket, Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, and India A matches, his father took particular pride in Rohit’s red-ball exploits. ‘Back then, excelling in Test cricket was the gateway to the Indian team. White-ball opportunities came later. He saw me grind through that journey with the red ball, and that meant everything to him,’ Rohit explained, highlighting how selection criteria have evolved over the years.

Closing his reflections, Rohit acknowledged the profound influence his father wielded in his rise to becoming one of India’s most celebrated cricketers. ‘Wherever I am today, it’s because of their support. Without them, none of this would have been possible,’ he concluded. This candid conversation not only showcased Rohit’s humility but also painted a touching tribute to the unsung heroes behind a cricketer’s success—the family. As fans, we often celebrate the runs and records, but stories like these remind us of the deeper, personal victories that define a player’s legacy.