Sanjay Manjrekar’s Blunt Take on Rohit Sharma’s Test Retirement: ‘Fitness Levels a Concern’
NEW DELHI: The cricketing world is abuzz with reactions to Rohit Sharma’s Test retirement, announced on Wednesday via an emotional Instagram post. Among the voices weighing in, former cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar delivered a scathing assessment, spotlighting Rohit’s recent poor form and questioning his fitness levels as a Test opener.
Manjrekar, never one to mince words, took to his official ‘X’ handle to share his unfiltered opinion. ‘164 runs in his last 15 innings. Out of which 10 were at home against Bangladesh and New Zealand. Average of just 10.9. With his current fitness levels… Rohit Sharma’s days as a Test opener were over. So…’ he wrote, laying bare the statistical decline of one of India’s modern greats.
Rohit, aged 38, concluded his Test journey with a heartfelt note to fans, saying, ‘It’s been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites. Thank you for all the love and support over the years.’ His departure from the longest format, however, comes amid intense scrutiny over his place in the squad. With a challenging five-match Test series against England on the horizon and whispers of leadership transitions within the BCCI, the timing of his exit feels almost inevitable.
Despite a stellar Test career—boasting 4,301 runs, 12 centuries, and a highest score of 212—Rohit’s form had taken a nosedive in recent times. In his final nine Test matches, he managed a meager average of 10.93, a stark contrast to his earlier dominance. A poignant moment came during the Sydney Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he made the tough call to drop himself from the playing XI, signaling the struggles of a once-formidable opener.
Off the field, Rohit didn’t shy away from controversy either. In a candid interview, he expressed frustration with the state of cricket commentary in India, labeling it ‘disappointing.’ He criticized the media’s shift toward sensationalism over substance, pointing to a growing disconnect between the essence of the game and its portrayal. ‘The focus should be on the game, not the drama around it,’ he remarked, stirring further debate in cricketing circles.
While the curtains fall on his Test career, Rohit remains a towering figure in white-ball cricket. Having led India to T20 World Cup glory in 2024 before retiring from the format, he has confirmed his commitment to ODI cricket, where his flair and leadership continue to inspire. His Test exit marks the end of an era, but his legacy—spanning clutch performances, elegant strokeplay, and a storied captaincy—remains etched in Indian cricket history.
As fans bid farewell to Rohit in whites, Manjrekar’s comments linger as a harsh but perhaps realistic footnote to a glorious chapter. Was fitness indeed the final straw, or were there deeper currents at play? Only time will tell, but for now, Indian cricket turns the page, looking to new heroes to carry forward the Test mantle.