NEW DELHI: India's skipper Rohit Sharma categorically dismissed retirement speculation, clarifying that his absence from the Sydney Test was solely due to poor batting performance.
Speaking to Star Sports during the lunch interval on Day 2 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, he explained that whilst his decision to skip Sydney was challenging yet practical, it bears no implications for his cricket future.
"Like I told you this decision is not a retirement decision nor am I going to step aside from the game, there is no such decision. I am out of the game because bat nahi chal raha hai," Rohit said.
He acknowledged the unpredictable nature of cricket performance, stating that there are no certainties about when his form might improve, whether in two months or five. He emphasised that cricket, like life itself, is constantly evolving, whilst maintaining optimism about future improvement whilst staying grounded in reality.
Addressing external opinions, he stated: "Someone is sitting inside with a mic or a laptop or a pen, what he writes, what he says, our life does not change because of that. We have played this game for so many years, so they cannot decide when we should go or when we should not play or when we have to sit out or when we should captain. Sensible aadmi hoon, mature aadmi hoon, do bachhon ka baap hoon, mere paas thoda sa dimaag hai!"
Before concluding the interview, he reassured: "main kahin ja nahin raha. Idhar hi hun."
In the current Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Rohit's batting statistics have been concerning, with an average of merely 6.2 and a highest score of 10 across three Tests against Australia.
After missing the Perth Test for his second child's birth, his batting performance has declined, failing to surpass 10 runs in five innings.
