Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has confirmed that he will not follow R Ashwin to retire from international cricket during the ongoing Test series against Australia. Rohit is not going through a great phase of form lately, and his horrible show has drawn a lot of criticism from fans and experts alike. Ashwin announced after the third Test match against Australia in Brisbane that he was retiring from international cricket in the media briefing. On being asked if Rohit would follow, he just said that his numbers have not been good lately, but as long as his body and mind are moving well, he will keep playing for India.
“I have not batted well; no harm in accepting that. But I know what is there in mind, how I am preparing myself. All those boxes are very much ticked. It is just about spending as much time as possible, which I am pretty sure I am just there. As long as my mind, my body, and my feet are moving well, I am pretty happy with how things are planning out for me.”
Rohit open-batted, and of course, in the past few matches, it has been KL Rahul. The move to No. 6 has not also worked out well as well as he has not been scoring many runs.
“There are times when those numbers can tell because it’s time that he has not got big runs. But for a guy like me, it’s really about how I feel in my mind, how I’m prepping before each game, and how I’m feeling about myself.
“That’s the most important thing. And I’m feeling okay with myself, to be honest. Runs are obviously not showing that, but inside it’s a different feeling.”
Rohit Sharma expressed satisfaction on the very personal decision made by India’s premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin regarding retirement from international cricket and the entire team has full support behind Ashwin’s thought process.
The 38-year-old broke the news to fans regarding his retirement following the fourth Test against Australia that ended in a draw. 537 wickets were made during an average time of 24 in 106 Tests, putting him as India’s second-best wicket-taker after legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble. He scored six Test centuries and 14 fifties with the willow at his disposal. His last game at the international level was the day-night Test played in Adelaide, where he bowled 1-53.
“See some decisions are personal matters and I don’t think questions should be asked or raised? Yes if this player has a choice then he should be given that choice, and for somebody like Ash, who has been there for us over these years, is allowed to take those decisions on his own. And we as teammates have to respect it. He was very sure about what he wanted to do. And the whole team has complete backing of his thought process.” Rohit said in the post-match press conference.