Rohit Sharma Break Silence on Sydney Test Exit, Says Team Came First
India skipper Rohit Sharma has broken his silence on stepping away from the crucial Sydney Test during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, explaining that his decision was made in the team’s best interest. Speaking with former Australian captain Michael Clarke on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, Rohit recounted conversations with head coach Gautam Gambhir and selection chief Ajit Agarkar, revealing there were differing opinions on his withdrawal from the match.
Rohit, who managed just 164 runs across 15 innings at an average of 10.83 in the series, said he wasn’t in good form and felt stepping aside would benefit the team. India eventually lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in ten years.
“During the last Test in Sydney, I had to be honest with myself. I wasn’t hitting the ball well, and we had other players struggling too,” Rohit said. “Adding myself to that mix wouldn’t help. We also wanted Shubman Gill to play, as he had missed the previous match.”
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Rohit mentioned that while informing the team management, there were disagreements about the decision. “I spoke to the coach and selector, and while there was some support, it also led to an argument. But the team’s needs came first. Sometimes these decisions work out, sometimes they don’t,” he noted.
Reflecting on his approach to leadership, Rohit emphasized the importance of prioritizing team goals over personal achievements. “Since taking on the captaincy, I’ve tried to instill a team-first mentality—not just in myself but in everyone. It’s about doing what’s right for the team, not chasing individual scores,” he said.