Rohit Sharma, a respected Indian cricketer, ended his Test career in a shocking way. He announced his retirement before the team for the England tour was picked. Many thought Rohit could have played at least one more series and got a proper farewell.
Jatin Paranjpe, a former BCCI selector, feels Rohit could have achieved more in Test cricket. Paranjpe recalled a conversation with Rohit about his goals in the red-ball format. While Rohit quickly got into India’s white-ball teams, it took him some time to do the same in Tests.
I remember he wasn’t playing Test cricket for India. We had this conversation and he said, ‘I started playing cricket with a red ball, Jatin. How can you say I am not interested in Test cricket?’ I got the message and I was hoping that’s what he would say, Paranjpe said on the ‘A Century of Stories’ podcast with Cyrus Broacha.
Paranjpe was surprised when Rohit pulled out of the Sydney Test against Australia. Although Rohit said he would travel to England for the Test series, he decided to quit the format before the team was even announced.
He said he lives for Test cricket. I think Rohit Sharma could have done a lot more in Test cricket. I think he would be the first one to say that as well. I was a bit disappointed he chose to drop himself in Sydney because we could have levelled the series, he added.
The former BCCI selector also remembered how Ravi Shastri decided to move Rohit up to open in Tests, which changed Rohit’s Test career.
That’s the big moment. I remember I was part of the selection committee at that time. That was Ravi Shastri’s idea. He reads the game very well. Ravi is 3-4 steps ahead of everybody when it comes to reading the game, said Paranjpe.