Rohit Sharma reveals the real reason why he dropped himself from the Sydney Test against Australia 

Rohit Sharma revealed that he had an argument with coach Gautam Gambhir about his decision to opt out of the Sydney Test during the BGT.

Rohit Sharma reveals the real reason why he dropped himself from the Sydney Test against Australia 

Rohit Sharma opened up about the rationale behind his decision to sit out of the Sydney Test, against Australia. (via India Today)

Indian national cricket team captain Rohit Sharma revealed the reason behind his decision to opt out of the Sydney Test during the Border-gavaskar Trophy, earlier this year. The 37-year-old admitted that he had a long-drawn argument about it, with Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir. 

Rohit Sharma’s form in red-ball cricket has remained under fire. Sharma endured his most difficult period with the Indian Test side, scoring just 164 runs across 15 innings at a poor average of 10.83. The 37-year-old’s leadership was also questioned, as India suffered two back-to-back Test series defeats, against New Zealand and Australia, also failing to make a place in the final of the World Test Championship. 

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Rohit Sharma could only manage to score 31 runs in five innings in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which India lost by a margin of 3-1. Missing out on the first Test due to personal issues, Sharma made his return to the second Test in Adelaide. However, he had to sacrifice his opening spot to allow Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul to open the innings, against Australia, after they shone in the first Test in Perth. 

Meanwhile, an out-of-form Rohit Sharma struggled to get going, batting at several positions down the order. His decision to return to the top of the batting order backfired, as he managed to score just 12 runs in the fourth Test in Melbourne. It ultimately forced the veteran Indian batter and captain to sit out in the final Test in Sydney, and was eventually replaced by the young Shubman Gill.

In Sharma’s absence, Jasprit Bumrah was named as the stand-in skipper. This raised speculation that the regular Indian captain might consider retiring from red-ball cricket. Sharma also made an unimpressive return to play for Mumbai in the Ranji trophy, earlier this year. In a conversation with Australian legend Michael Clarke, he recently revealed the rationale behind the decision to opt out of the Sydney Test.

The 37-year-old exclaimed that he prioritized the team over himself, admitting his poor form and his wish to allow Shubman Gill to have his opportunity in the team. Moreover, Rohit Sharma added that he had an argument with head coach Gautam Gambhir and selector Ajit Agarkar over his decision. He revealed that despite the initial disagreement, the two former players had to agree for the team’s benefit.

I had to be honest with myself. I wasn’t hitting the ball well. I didn’t want to put myself there only because we had dropped the other guys who were struggling as well.

Rohit Sharma on Michael Clarke’s Beyond 23 podcast (H/T Hindustan Times)

Nonetheless, Rohit Sharma did overcome his struggles in Test cricket by covering up for it with his successes in white-ball cricket. He helped India win its third Champions Trophy title, earlier this year, and was the Player of the Match in the final of the 2025 edition, against New Zealand. 

MCA honors Rohit Sharma’s legacy by naming a stand at the Wankhede Stadium after him

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), in a surprising move, made a decision to name a stand at the iconic Wankhede Stadium after Rohit Sharma. The decision to honor the Indian team captain, who guided the team to two back-to-back ICC trophies, was taken during the MCA’s annual meeting.

Rohit Sharma stand at Wankhede Stadium
MCA has decided to name a stand at the Wankhede Stadium after Rohit Sharma. (via ESPN Cricinfo)

The proposal was initially put forward by MCA’s Apex Council Member, Milind Narvekar. Divecha Pavilion Level 3 is expected to be named after the Indian captain. Moreover, Rohit Sharma joins the elite list of players who have a stand named after them, at the Wankhede Stadium. The list includes two of India’s greatest batters, Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar, Vijay Merchant and several others.

Meanwhile, two other stands at the Wankhede Stadium are also set to be renamed, following the latest release. The Grand Stand Level 3 will be named after former MCA and BCCI president, Sharad Pawar, and the Level 4 will be renamed after Ajit Wadekar, former Indian captain.