Rohit Sharma stepping away from Test cricket was something many had seen coming. The 38-year-old veteran was thought to require some relaxation following a lacklustre showing in Australia as both captain and hitter. After Ravichandran Ashwin called time on his Test career following the Melbourne match, whispers started suggesting that Rohit Sharma could be the next in line to retire. Rumours began to circulate that he would be retiring.
However, Rohit, only a few months later, made an appearance in an interview with Michael Clarke, where he laid out a clear road map for success and showed his excitement for the forthcoming England tour. This raised hopes that Rohit would still be motivated to play.
When Rohit abruptly and unexpectedly announced that he was retiring from Test cricket on May 7, however, all dreams were dashed. Although the grounds behind the decision are still unknown, many people think he may have been coerced into making it.
After two months, the Indian Test squad has started a fresh journey with Shubman Gill as their new skipper. Still, Rohit’s presence continues to be felt within the team.
A reporter questioned Rishabh Pant about Rohit as he and the rest of the Indian team were leaving for England. “Who’s in the garden?” was Pant’s light-hearted reply, referring to Rohit.
“Who’s the ‘Jethani’ (dominant sister-in-law) in the team—someone who takes all the decisions and bosses everyone around, perhaps using their seniority?” Pant was posed the same question during his appearance on The Kapil Sharma Show. “That’s Rohit Bhai,” Pant said swiftly. That’s how he assumes leadership. Everything was said with a sense of humour. Rohit Sharma
India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir appeared on the show alongside Rishabh Pant, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Abhishek Sharma. He joked, “Well, now that he’s retired, you can take his name freely!” with a laugh.
Following India’s devastating defeat in the 2023 World Cup and again after they won the championship, Rohit Sharma has appeared as a guest on The Kapil Sharma Show twice.
The former Indian Test captain is currently on holiday in Italy with his wife, Ritika, son, Ahan, and daughter, Samaira. They are posting stunning photos of the nation’s famous sites.
Initially, it was anticipated that he would rejoin cricket in August for India’s ODI trip to Bangladesh. But now that the series has been scrapped, Rohit will return in October, unless the BCCI plans to hold another limited-overs series during that period. Rohit Sharma