There was a lot of speculation in the cricket world over Indian captain Rohit Sharma’s decision to opt out of the Sydney Test. Due to his poor form, he decided to keep himself out of the team, which gave Shubman Gill a chance to join the playing eleven, while Jasprit Bumrah took over the captaincy of the team. However, India suffered a 6-wicket defeat in the Sydney Test and lost the series 1–3.
Rohit’s clarification on Gambhir getting credit:
There was a lot of discussion around this decision that the credit for keeping Rohit out of the team was being given to Gautam Gambhir. Amidst these speculations, Rohit clarified his position by giving an interview during the lunch break on the second day of the match. Former cricketer and current cricket analyst Sanjay Manjrekar believes that this interview was not only to explain his decision, but it was also an attempt to set the record straight.
What did Manjrekar say?
Sanjay Manjrekar told Star Sports: “An important reason for that interview of Rohit Sharma was to clarify his point. It seemed as if Gautam Gambhir was being given full credit for his ouster from the Sydney Test. Rohit probably wanted to break this perception. He said that he could not keep another out-of-form batsman in the playing eleven. I liked this interview very much.”
Manjrekar also said that Rohit’s decision was personal and bold, but there was a bigger message hidden in it.
Manjrekar’s opinion on the future of players
Speaking on another part of the interview, Sanjay Manjrekar said: “Many players say that ‘I will decide my own future.’ I object to this. The decision to retire may be yours, but not to play for India. This is the right of the selectors. The selectors should have the freedom to take decisions in the larger interest of Indian cricket. No matter how big a player is, he should respect the hierarchy.”
Manjrekar said that only a strong selection committee decides how long a player’s career should last.
