NEW DELHI, Jan 03 (AFP): Rohit Sharma rose from humble beginnings to captain India but he was axed Friday for the decisive fifth Test against Australia to nudge the "Hitman" closer to retirement.
Even before the out-of-form opening batsman was dropped for the crucial Sydney clash, Indian media had speculated that Rohit could retire from Test cricket after the series.
The 37-year-old quit T20 international cricket last year after lifting the World Cup. He is yet to call time on his ODI career. If this is it for Rohit in Tests -- the team insisted he was "rested" - it would be an ignominious late chapter in the career of the Indian great.
As a youngster Rohit studied on a scholarship because his family was unable to afford monthly fees of a few dollars.
He overcame all odds to become a cricketing superstar, especially in the white-ball game, his feats including taking his country to World Cup glory in 2024.
He is also the only batsman to have scored three double-centuries in one-day internationals. Prior to his drop-off in form, Rohit gave India real firepower at the top of the innings and his selfless approach allowed the rest of the batsmen to play freely.
But the man dubbed the "Hitman" for getting to big scores quickly in spectacular style failed to get past 10 runs in any of his five innings in Australia.
He had called his performances "disturbing" while there was also mounting criticism about his decisions as captain. Rohit missed the first Test in Perth for the birth of his second child, with Jasprit Bumrah assuming the captaincy and playing a starring role with the ball in a big India win.
Axing could be end for India's 'Hitman' Rohit in Test cricket
FE Team | Published: January 03, 2025 22:50:53
Axing could be end for India's 'Hitman' Rohit in Test cricket
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