Sydney [Australia], January 4: In an interview with host broadcaster Star Sports during lunch on Day 2 of the fifth and final Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy between Australia and India on Saturday, opener and right-hand batsman Rohit Sharma gave an explanation for his absence from the series’ final Test.

When Jasprit Bumrah emerged at the toss, confirming Rohit’s exclusion from the playing XI, the cricket world was shocked. The replacement captain attested to Rohit’s opt-out at the time of the toss.

“I have resigned from this test, but I’m not leaving. This is neither a departure from the format or a retirement. It makes no difference what a man with a laptop, pen, or microphone writes or says. They can’t make the decision for us. After arriving in Sydney, I answered the request to step aside. Although there is no assurance that you won’t be able to score in two or six months, runs are definitely not coming. According to ESPNcricinfo, Rohit Sharma said Star Sports, “I am old enough to know what I am doing.”

“I had a straightforward conversation with the coach and the selector: this is a crucial game, we need guys who are in form, and my bat isn’t making runs. The lads aren’t playing well as it is. I thus had the straightforward idea that we cannot carry guys who are not playing well. I felt that I should share my thoughts with the coach and the selector because of this. They supported my choice. “They said you are the best judge of what you are doing because you have been playing for so long,” he said.

Despite losing his flamboyance, the fiery opener only managed 91 runs at an average of 15.17 in three Test matches during India’s record 3-0 home series thumping of New Zealand.

When India played Bangladesh before to the series defeat by the Kiwis, the explosive opener scored only 42 runs at an average of 10.50 in two Test matches.

Rohti has only scored 31 runs in three games and five innings in the current BGT series, with an average of 6.20 and a top score of 10.

Former players praised Rohit’s act of resignation, which Suresh Raina said demonstrated his selflessness.

“Rohit Sharma is a wonderful example of leadership because of his integrity and altruism. Despite his personal struggles, he puts the success of the team first and steps aside when needed. His steadfast commitment to India’s success is evident in his leadership in the current Test series. “A real game legend,” Raina wrote on X.

Sanjay Manjrekar, a former batter for India, said on X, “Congratulations to Rohit! Such an open discussion on Star Sports India. Sincerity to the heart.I chose not to play since we couldn’t bring too many hitters who weren’t playing well to Sydney.”

At the post-day news conference, wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant already shared his thoughts on Rohit’s absence. He made an emotional choice, but because he wasn’t involved in those discussions, it didn’t provide him any clarity.

“I firmly believe that it was an emotional choice. We see him as the team’s leader since he has been captain for a long time, but I believe there are certain choices that you are not engaged in because they are extremely managerial decisions. Since I was not there for that discussion, I am unable to provide an explanation beyond that,” Pant said.