Rohit Retires
In a surprising development, Rohit Sharma, India’s all-format captain, announced his retirement from Test Cricket and will not participate in the five-test tour to England beginning next month.
The Immaculate Rohit
The development has given me mixed feelings. Rohit Sharma is a true legend in whatever form of cricket, irrespective of the numbers. Many may disagree, but can you find someone who can play like him? The lazy elegance, the well-oiled wrists, sublime timing, and brute power, Rohit Sharma had it all, a concoction of four good batters rolled into one.
Rohit Test Stats: A Missed Chance For Indian Cricket
Rohit’s Test statistics of 67 matches, 4301 runs at an average of 40.57 with 12 hundreds and 18 fifties, may not sound over the moon, but indicate the potential that could not be unearthed in the longest format of the game. It is more of India’s loss than Rohit’s. By the time he was made to embrace Test matches, the great batsman had in a way already peaked in ODIs and a major part of his Test career came when Rohit was beginning to climb down.
A Captain Excellent
The captaincy, however, propelled Rohit to great heights when it came to his soaring popularity in India. His captaincy stats in Tests with 24 matches and 12 victories, a winning %age of 50, has had a much deeper impact in Indian cricket than meets the eye. His easy-going but focused attitude, a cool demeanor, positive intent, and the ability to be a guiding shepherd to youngsters won Rohit massive accolades. But time does not remain the same forever, and Rohit soon realised.
A Tiring Body & Mind Made Rohit Decide
The legend’s form had been dipping off late in Test matches. New Zealand’s whitewash of India in India must have sown the seeds of the decision taken by Rohit a couple of days ago. He had performed poorly and had failed to lead from the front. His confidence was on the wane, and then the loss in Australia, where he demoted himself down the order and even dropped himself from the playing XI in one of the matches, was a clear indication that Rohit’s position was not guaranteed in the team.
Rohit’s Departure Not Bad News Either
Rohit’s decision is, in a way, good for Indian Cricket too. A young captain hopefully will take up the reins, and a new player will get a chance to take his career forward. Also, with his uncertain form and 5 gruelling matches in England, it would have been a tough ask for the 38-year-old.
A Right Decision In The End
Rohit Sharma eventually took the right decision, which was immediately accepted by the BCCI (as if waiting for it). He had given his heart out and deserved his place in the sun. A more detailed tweet on the exploits of Rohit and his immense contribution to Indian Cricket could have been highlighted and more praise showered in the BCCI’s tweet.
Rohit’s Charisma Will Be Missed
Rohit Sharma will not adorn the Indian whites again. I will surely miss his languid style, those brilliant pulls ( only he could play them) and the hooks, the sublime cover drives and the straight ones past the bowler.
Rohit Sharma, what a player, what an entertainer. The True ‘Hitman’.
Read Quick, Read Better @ rizkhan.in
Visit Sports FACTory Youtube Channel