“I Would Have Played Rohit”: Ravi Shastri’s Bold Take on Sharma’s Test Retirement

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has made headlines with his candid views on Rohit Sharma’s recent Test retirement, claiming he would have handled the veteran batsman’s final matches differently. Rohit’s retirement from Test cricket with 4,301 runs has sparked widespread debate among fans and analysts over his legacy in the longer format.

Shastri’s Controversial Sydney Test Opinion

The fiery commentator didn’t mince words about Rohit missing the final Border-Gavaskar Test:

“As coach, I’d have insisted Rohit play that Sydney Test. Big players deserve farewells on their terms, not through scorebook decisions.”

Shastri referenced:

• Rohit’s paternity leave during Perth Test
• Subsequent poor form (31 runs in 3 Tests)
• Shock omission for SCG decider

Breaking Down Rohit’s Test Legacy

The numbers tell a compelling story:

• 67 Tests over 12 years
• 12 centuries including a career-best 212
• 40.57 average – highest among current Indian openers
• 24 Tests as captain with 12 wins

His leadership highlights include:

1. Guiding India to WTC 2023 Final
2. Historic series wins abroad
3. Developing next-gen Test openers

Why Shastri’s Comments Matter

The debate touches on:

• How India treats aging stars
• Balancing performance with respect
• Setting retirement precedent

Current coach Rahul Dravid previously explained:

“Selection stays performance-based. Sentiment can’t override team needs.”

Rohit’s Test Career: What Could’ve Been?

Analysts highlight:

• Late bloomer – debuted in 2013 but cemented spot only in 2019
• Home/away disparity – averaged 50+ in India vs 30 overseas
• Injury struggles that limited his Test impact

Shastri argues:

“When you’ve earned 12 Test tons, you warrant special consideration during transition phases.”

The Bigger Picture for Indian Cricket

This controversy reflects:

• Changing selection philosophies post-Kohli era
• Pressure to blood young talent like Jaiswal
• Balancing formats in cricket’s crowded calendar

As one selector revealed anonymously:

“Rohit knew his time was up. The Sydney call just accelerated inevitable discussions.”

With Shastri’s comments sparking fresh debate, Indian cricket faces tough questions about honoring veterans while building for the future.

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