Former BCCI selector Jatin Paranjpe believes Rohit Sharma might have done far better in Test cricket than he did. The Indian veteran abruptly terminated his red-ball career, announcing his retirement just before the squad for the England tour was to be named, prompting the management to hunt for a new Test captain.
Paranjpe also recalls speaking with Rohit about his ambitions for the game’s longest format. While Rohit quickly earned a position in India’s white-ball squads, it took him longer to achieve consistency and establish himself in the red-ball international stage.
“I recall he wasn’t playing Test cricket for India. And we had this talk, and he says, “I started playing cricket with a red ball, Jatin.” How can you claim I’m not interested in Test cricket? I got the message, and I was hoping that was what he would say,” Paranjpe recalled on the ‘A Century of Stories’ podcast with Cyrus Broacha.
He could have accomplished a lot more. Paranjpe
The former Mumbai hitter also expressed surprise when Rohit opted to withdraw from the Sydney Test against Australia during the 2024-25 tour. Although the then-India captain had shown a willingness in coming to England for the series, he decided to withdraw from the format before the roster was announced, as he was already committed to playing the Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025.
“He claimed he lives for Test cricket. I believe Rohit Sharma could have done much more in Test cricket.
I believe he would be the first to express this as well. I was a little upset that he opted to drop himself in Sydney, since we could have tied the series,” Paranjpe said.
The former selector also mentioned how Ravi Shastri’s choice to promote Rohit as a Test opener proved to be a watershed moment in the batter’s red-ball career.
“That is the big moment. I remember being on the selection committee at the time. It was Ravi Shastri’s idea. Superb thinker. Ravi is three or four steps ahead of everyone when it comes to interpreting the game,” Paranjpe observed.
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