Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 7. The former Indian captain’s sudden announcement ahead of the team’s five-match Test series against England, starting June 20, raised speculations on his reasons for retirement. According to a report, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rejected Rohit’s proposal, which was similar to MS Dhoni’s, leading the Hitman to step away from the longest format of cricket.
Rohit Sharma proposed to mirror former captain MS Dhoni’s 2014 style of retirement, according to a report by Sky Sports News. Notably, Dhoni retired mid-series during India’s tour of Australia.
Rohit expressed his desire to travel to England, lead the team in the initial matches, and then announce his retirement during the series. However, the BCCI rejected the proposal, citing a need for consistency in leadership. According to the report, the Board offered Rohit the opportunity to go to the series.
“Selectors wanted consistency during the series and offered Sharma the opportunity to go to the series, but not as captain. He decided to retire instead,” the report stated.
The decision prompted Rohit to call time on his red-ball career immediately, just weeks before the Indian squad announcement for the series. Sources close to Indian cricket told the publication that while Rohit was still mentally prepared to take on one last Test-match challenge, the idea of finishing on his own terms was not entertained by the BCCI.
