Rohit Sharma, one of India’s top opening batsmen, surprised many when he decided to retire from Test cricket just before the England tour squad was announced. After the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he had expressed a wish to keep playing, even though his form wasn’t great. Rohit had shown his commitment by returning to the Ranji Trophy, but ultimately chose to step away from the Test format, leaving fans and the cricket community stunned.
His father was particularly affected by this news. During the launch of a book by Cheteshwar Pujara’s wife in Mumbai, Rohit shared how much his dad loves Test cricket. He said his father isn’t fond of the newer formats and often didn’t show excitement after Rohit’s big ODI scores. “I remember when I scored 264 in an ODI. My dad was like, ‘Well played,’ but there was no real excitement,” Rohit recalled. “But when it came to my Test scores, he would always talk to me about them in detail. That shows how much he loves the game.
Initially, Rohit’s father was disappointed with his son’s decision, but he eventually came to terms with it and felt happy. Rohit explained, “He’s seen my cricket journey all the way from school to the Indian team.” He acknowledged the crucial role his father played in his career, saying, “Without their support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Rohit finished his Test career with 12 centuries and 18 fifties, and he even captained India to the World Test Championship final in 2023, a title that still eludes the team.