Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has praised Rohit Sharma for publicly admitting his struggles with the bat during a candid interview during the fifth and final Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney.
Rohit Sharma has opted out of the New Year's Test against Australia at the SCG as he was out of form, and Sanjay Manjrekar has praised the Indian skipper's honesty about his poor form with the bat.
Sanjay Manjrekar praises Rohit Sharma's honesty but questions the timing of the Sydney interview
However, Manjrekar also raised questions as to whether there was another reason behind Rohit's decision to speak to broadcasters midway through this crucial SCG Test. The Indian skipper's interview on the second day of the Sydney Test left many stunned, especially as he was not part of the 15-member squad for the match against Australia.
During the interview, the Indian captain addressed rumors about his future in Test cricket and denied claims of being left out of the final Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Well, Sanjay Manjrekar acknowledged Rohit's transparency but pointed out that Gautam Gambhir was another reason behind his decision to give an interview during the Sydney Test.
The cricket expert hinted that Rohit may have wanted to clear the air and set things right, especially since Gautam Gambhir was credited with the decision to leave him out of the playing XI.
Gautam Gambhir gets all the credit, which is why Rohit Sharma decided to set the record straight: Sanjay Manjrekar
“But there was also another reason why he did this interview. To clear the air. Somewhere I think Gambhir got all the credit for his brave decision to leave Rohit Sharma out. He wanted to set the record straight,” Sanjay Manjrekar said while speaking on Star Sports. Right. Let's be honest.
Meanwhile, Sanjay Manjrekar criticized Rohit Sharma's comments about his future in the Indian Test team. The commentator said that retirement is a personal decision, but stressed that decisions regarding the player’s place in the team and the starting lineup will be made by the two national teams. He pointed out that the head of the selection committee must determine the player's future.
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Manjrekar also made his point clear, saying: “I loved that interview. In the first part where he said I can't have another out-of-form batsman in the playing XI, that's why he chose not to play. But there were some other emotions as well. One of the things he says a lot is Of the players is that I will decide my future. I have a problem with that. You can decide your future in terms of retirement, but there is another person who has the job of deciding your future as a player and a captain. That is the chief selector.
“You have to respect the hierarchy, no matter how big it is,” the cricket pundit signed off. “If the chief selector is strong and believes in the long-term health of Indian cricket, he will have the power to decide whether your career should end now, or you will get a few matches.” Another, or another series. Retirement is in your hands, but playing for the Indian national team is not.”
