Rohit Sharma Opens Up About His Retirement from Test Cricket and His Father's Reaction

Rohit Sharma has been one of India's finest opening batters and someone who always gave his best to the red ball format. When he suddenly decided to retire from Test cricket just before the England tour it left everyone surprised. This was all the more shocking as merely a few months ago he had given clear indications of his deep commitment to Test matches. Post-Border Gavaskar Trophy he had spoken of his desire to play still in the longest form of the game. He had even gone as far as to take a step towards playing domestic red ball cricket once more by playing in the Ranji Trophy to demonstrate his seriousness. So, the news of his retirement came as a surprise twist to leave fans and experts stunned alike.

But what was not known until later was how much the decision had impacted someone who was very close to Rohit. His father was the person who has been always a great fan of conventional Test cricket. At a Mumbai event for the launch of a book penned by Puja Pujara wife of Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara Rohit spoke candidly of his father's reaction when he informed him about his retirement from Test cricket. Rohit had said that his father never liked the new kind of cricket fast paced and with a lot of big shots. Rather his father has always been a supporter of the longer version where skill patience and technique are put to test for days.

Rohit recalled how even when he made a record breaking 264 runs in an ODI match his father just gave a simple response. He said well played and nothing else. There was no extra thrill from him despite that score being a giant one. But whenever Rohit had a good knock in a Test match even if it was merely a solid 30 or 40 runs his father used to discuss with him at length about the innings. That indicates the great respect and affection his father had for Test cricket and the type of cricket he used to watch and enjoy as a child.

This passion for Test cricket was imparted to Rohit over the years as his father witnessed him grow from school cricket to under 19 and then through the domestic hierarchy such as Ranji Trophy Duleep Trophy and Irani Trophy. Rohit gave recognition of how his father had witnessed his whole career in red ball cricket and that bond made the retirement news a bit tough to hear. His father had seen all the phases Rohit passed through in order to play for the Indian national team and he cherished each one of them particularly in red ball cricket.

Rohit confessed himself with open heart that his father was upset when initially he came to know about the decision of retiring from Tests. But afterwards he accepted it and was glad too because he realized that such choices are a part of a player's life. Rohit credited a lot of his success to his father and the role he had in his career. According to him, his success would not have been there without sacrifices made by his parents and their support. His father was employed in a transport firm and made numerous sacrifices in order for Rohit to pursue his dreams in cricket. His mother too was equally involved but here in this specific conversation he was more concerned about how his father inspired and guided him particularly in the context of Test cricket.

Rohit's words are also a reflection of how emotionally invested his family was in his career particularly the red ball aspect of it. And that made the decision to quit playing the format that much more emotional. It was not simply about leaving a format behind. It was also about ending a chapter that had been so close to his heart and his father's. This shared love of a father for Test cricket and the fact that he himself has played it at the international level brings such a very human element to the retirement story that is typically found only from a perspective of performance and numbers.

Discussing Rohit's Test career it was full of fond memories. He made 12 centuries and 18 half centuries in the format and even had the privilege of captaining India in the 2023 World Test Championship final. Even though India was not able to win that title the journey itself was special. Under his captaincy India performed well and he contributed not only as a captain but also with his bat in critical situations. His opening the innings successfully was one of the main highlights of his Test career.

His odyssey with red ball cricket has been encouraging. From being a middle order batsman who could not find a place in the team to becoming a champion opening batsman Rohit changed his game over time. He went through tough times injuries and criticism but never lost heart and asserted himself. Test cricket provided him with an opportunity to display his patience his elegant stroke play and his capability to construct an innings. These attributes made him a consistent player under challenging circumstances whether in India or abroad.

With him now retiring from this format his fans will remember him for his composed attitude his elegant batting and his leadership abilities. Above all his retirement story will be told for the emotion behind it. The tale of how a Test cricket-loving father brought up a son who fulfilled that dream and reached the highest level is heartwarming. It indicates that every player has a family behind him whose dreams and feelings are connected with them. Rohit Sharma's retirement move might have signalled the end of his Test days but it also showcased the strong family connection and regard for the sport that is present within homes such as his.