Rohit-Sharma. (Photo source: X)
Former England captain Michael Atherton recently opened up on Rohit Sharma’s sudden retirement from Test cricket, believing that the decision did not come as a surprise given the Indian captain’s form dip and recent string of poor results.
Rohit announced his retirement through Instagram on May 7, just ahead of India’s Test squad selection for the England tour, drawing curtain on an 11-year-long red-ball career. Just days before the England series squad was to be picked, many speculated about whether the decision was entirely his. Atherton also questioned whether the Nagpur-born had chosen for himself or due to external factors.
“Was that retirement completely his own decision, or did he get a sense that he’s about to be pushed, or the axe was coming because there was a report, the day before the announcement from Rohit, that the selectors had decided to move on. So that’s speculation, we don’t know, but ultimately the decision didn’t come as a surprise because it’s a bad combination for any captain, as you know, and as I know well if you’re losing games, and you ain’t getting any runs, and India had lost 5 out of the last 6 matches under Rohit’s captaincy. Three against New Zealand and a couple in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and his form had really tailed off and of course, that’s a bad combination for any captain,” said Atherton while talking to Sky Sports.
There’s a massive depth of talent in Indian cricket: Michael Atherton
The 38-year-old’s final season in Test cricket was mix of dips in form and disappointing team results. India were whitewashed 0-3 at home by New Zealand followed by a 1-3 series loss in Australia that cost them a spot in the World Test Championship Final. In Australia, the right-handed batter scored just 31 runs across three Tests and “stood down” of the final Test in Sydney, citing his lack of contribution. Atherton also believes age is a big factor that led to the decision and backed India’s new pool of talent.
“He’s 38. There’s a massive depth of talent in Indian cricket. So, given that level, that depth of talent and the competition, it means that you’re not going to be so patient when form or results go against you. And so in that sense I didn’t think it was that much of a surprise. But always sad when a Test career comes to end. He’s been a significant cricketer. The record or statistics wouldn’t suggest, of the very top rank in terms of Test cricket,” added Atherton.
The former English skipper also pointed out Rohit’s phenomenal white-ball career, but believes his Test career was “funny”, and he had to wait long to make his debut in red-ball cricket. After years of struggling in the middle order, Rohit’s red-ball career found a second chance when he was promoted to open in 2019, producing several memorable knocks.
“I think people will look at him, and his best format is ODI cricket. He’s going to go down as one of the greatest ODI openers, isn’t he? But a funny Test career. He had to wait for a long time to get in and then almost a career of two halves in Test cricket, averaging just a tick over 40 in the end with a dozen hundreds means it’s a successful record, but not quite a stellar record,” he concluded.
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