“It was a difficult decision for me” - Rohit Sharma on the decision to ‘sit out’ of SCG Test

With Rohit Sharma being rested for the Sydney Test against Australia, there were obvious questions about whether there is a rift in the Indian dressing room.

However, talking to Star Sports during the lunch break on the third day of the match, the Indian captain made it very clear that it was a thoroughly chalked out call and he informed the Indian think tank well in time to clear any air of uncertainty.

Rohit said, “I made this decision after coming here [to Sydney]. We had only two days between the matches. On New Year's, I didn't want to have this chat with the selector and the coach. But it was in my mind that I am trying my best but I am not getting the runs. I have to accept it and have to get myself out of the way.”

He further added, “The chat that I had with the coach and the selector was very simple: my bat is not scoring runs, I am not in form, this is an important match, and we need players who are in form. As it is, the boys are not in great form. So I had this simple thought in my mind: we can't carry out-of-form players.”

Rohit continued, “That's why I thought I should tell the coach and the selector what's going on in my mind. They backed my decision. They said you have been playing for so many years, you are the best judge of what you are doing."

He concluded by saying, “It was a difficult decision for me, but if you keep everything in mind, this was a sensible decision. I am not thinking too far. Right now, what does the team need? That is what I was thinking. Nothing else."