BGT 2024-25: Gambhir or Rohit, whose call was dropping captain in Sydney? Sanjay Manjrekar reveals!
Xtra Time Web Desk: Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar revealed that Rohit Sharma has admitted his poor form during a candid interview in Sydney and further addressed there might have been "another reason" that prompted Rohit to speak to the broadcasters midway through a crucial Test series decider.
On Day 2 of the Sydney Test while not being part of the 15-member squad, Rohit Sharma talked to the broadcasters which surprised many. During the interview, Rohit specially pointed out reports claiming he had been dropped for the fifth and final Test of the series.
"But there was also another reason why he was doing that interview. To clear the air. Somewhere I think Gambhir was getting all the credit for a brave call by leaving Rohit Sharma out. He wanted to set the record straight. Let’s be honest," Sanjay Manjrekar said after India faced a heavy defeat against Australia in Sydney, on Sunday, 5th January.
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Earlier, the head coach Gautam Gambhir denied to confirm whether Rohit would play the fifth Test while addressing the media in pre match conference but however the stand in captain Jasprit Bumrah clarified that the decision not to play the Sydney Test was Rohit's own choice.
Bumrah said during the toss, "Obviously, our captain, you know, has shown his leadership as well. He's opted to rest in this game. So that shows that, you know, there's a lot of unity in our team, there's no selfishness that, you know."
However, Manjrekar feels retirement is a personal call and selectors should determine teams as he stated, "I loved that interview. That first bit where he said, I couldn’t have another out-of-form batter in the XI, and that’s why he opted out. But there were some other emotions too."
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"One thing that a lot of players say is that ‘I will decide my future’. I have a problem with that. You can decide your future with regards to retirement, but somebody else has got the job to decide your future as a player and captain."
"That’s the chairman of selectors. You have got to respect the hierarchy, however big you are. If the chairman of selectors is strong and he believes in the long-term health of Indian cricket, he has the power to decide whether your career should end now, or you get a few more matches, or one more series."
"Retirement is in your hands, but playing for India is not," he said.
