Rohit Sharma’s childhood coach, Dinesh Lad, has broken his silence on the buzz surrounding the India ODI captain’s retirement from Test cricket. Amid swirling rumors that Rohit Sharma retired from Test cricket due to poor form or pressure, Lad strongly rejected those claims.
The coach has stressed that Rohit didn’t make the call in a rush. He revealed that the Hitman was always clear about stepping away from T20Is after winning the T20 World Cup 2024, aiming to concentrate fully on ODI and Test cricket.
Lad revealed that Rohit had his eyes firmly set on the ICC World Test Championship and the 2027 ODI World Cup. With India missing out on the WTC final, the coach feels Rohit may have decided it was time to pass the torch to the next generation, just like he did after the T20 World Cup 2024 triumph.
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Dinesh Lad was quoted as saying by PTI, “He didn't take the decision in a hurry. It's not that he retired because of his form. He didn't want to play T20Is after the World Cup, but it was his decision to continue with the other two formats.
His target might be winning the ICC World Test Championship. But unfortunately, we didn't qualify for the final, so that may be a reason. But I think he must have thought carefully about what was best for him to do.”
Dinesh Lad wants Rohit Sharma to win 2027 ODI World Cup before full retirement
The coach also insisted that India’s upcoming Test series in England has nothing to do with Rohit’s retirement. Lad noted that even though Rohit didn't win the WTC, he wants him to guide India to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 triumph in South Africa.
Lad added, “This decision has nothing to do with the upcoming tour of England. The main thought would have been to give the next generation a chance, just like he did after the T20 World Cup last year. He also wants to win the World Cup in 2027 and then retire. His target was the WTC and the World Cup. Now, I also want him to win the ODI World Cup 2027 and then retire from the game.”
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Rohit Sharma’s childhood coach also picked his debut Test century against the West Indies as his favorite Test innings. Notably, the Indian selectors had reportedly planned to remove Rohit as Test captain. They were also not sure if he would join the England tour just as a batter.
Soon after these talks, Rohit surprised everyone by announcing his Test retirement through an Instagram story earlier this week.
KL Rahul or Shubman Gill can replace Rohit Sharma as India's next Test captain
On being asked who should succeed Rohit as India’s new Test captain, Lad said that he can’t say but mentioned that KL Rahul and Shubman Gill are the two candidates for the role.
He signed off by saying, “I can't say who will take over. It's the decision of the BCCI and selectors. But there are a lot of people who are ready for the captaincy. Shubham Gill was recently made vice-captain in ODIs. I don't know if he will take it or not, but there are chances. KL Rahul is also a contender.”
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