Rohit Sharma reveals truth behind shock Sydney Test demotion

Captain Rohit Sharma was mysteriously demoted from the Indian team, with the official line being that he had “opted out”. He reveals what really happened ahead of the SCG clash.

Rohit Sharma has challenged claims he was sacked as Indian captain, declaring it was his call to stand down.

Test captain Sharma, who had scored just 31 runs in five innings in the series, was mysteriously demoted from the Indian team for the fifth Test with India’s official line being that he had “opted out.’’

In an interview with Star Sports during the lunch break on day two of the Sydney Test, Rohit said he had spoken to coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar who backed his decision to stand down.

“I stood down,’’ Rohit said.

Rohit Sharma (left) says it was his call to stand down for the Sydney Test. Picture: AFP

“I will say one thing and it will have 50 interpretations. I had a chat with the coach and the selector which was very simple. I am not making runs at the moment.

“I am not in form and it’s an important game. We need an in-form player. Our batting order isn’t in form at the moment. So out of form players can’t carry the team at the moment. So this was the simple thing in my mind. It was my understanding that I should tell the coach and the selector and they backed my call.’’

Rohit denied he would retire from Test cricket at the end of the series even though it appears his five day career is over.

“I am not going anywhere,” he said.

“This is not a decision of retirement. I am not moving away from this game. But I took a decision to step away from this game because I was not able to score runs with the bat. There is no guarantee that I will score runs two months or five months from now.

“I have seen a lot of cricket, every minute, every second and everyday life changes. I believe that things will change but at the same time, I have to be realistic as well. People sitting in the commentary box, or writing with a laptop in their hands, will not decide how my life goes.’’