This decision is not a retirement decision – Rohit Sharma

It came as a surprise when Jasprit Bumrah came out to lead the Indian side for the Sydney Test in place of Rohit Sharma. With the evident crunch in numbers, there were speculations that the Indian captain might be hanging his boots once and for all. However, squashing all the hearsays, Rohit Sharma made it clear that he is going to hang in there while talking at the lunch break on the third day of the SCG Test.

Talking to Star Sports, Sharma said, “This decision is not a retirement decision. Nor am I going to take myself out of the game. I sat out of this match because runs are not coming off my bat. There is no guarantee runs won't come five or two months down the line. I have seen a lot in cricket that life changes every second, every minute, every day.”

He further added, “I have confidence in me that things can change, but at the same time I have to be realistic as well. So life won't change by what people with a mic, pen or laptop write or say. They can't decide when we should retire, when we should sit out, when we should captain. I am a sensible man, mature man, father of two kids. So I know what I need in life."

Despite a slump with the bat in the second innings, the contest is tipped to be fairly poised. India have managed to secure a lead of 149 runs. With four wickets in hand, they might try and push it as far as it goes, hoping their bowlers will do the trick later.