Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar praised Rohit Sharma for openly admitting his struggles with the bat during a candid interview during the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney.

Rohit Sharma had opted out of the New Year’s Test against Australia at the SCG because he was not fit, and Sanjay Manjrekar praised the Indian captain’s honesty about his poor form with the bat.

Sanjay Manjrekar praises Rohit Sharma’s honesty but questions timing of Sydney interview

However, Manjrekar also raised questions whether there was another reason behind Rohit’s decision to speak to broadcasters midway through such a crucial SCG Test. The Indian captain’s interview on Day 2 of the Sydney Test left many stunned, especially since he was not part of the 15-member squad for the match against Australia.

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During the interview, the Indian captain addressed rumors about his future in Test cricket and denied claims that he had been ruled 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 might have wanted to clear the air and set the record straight, especially since Gautam Gambhir had been getting credit for the decision to leave him out of the playing XI.

Gautam Gambhir took all the credit and that’s why Rohit Sharma decided to set the record straight: Sanjay Manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar, while speaking on Star Sports, said, “But there was also another reason why I was doing that interview. To clear the air. Somewhere I think Gambhir was taking all the credit for his brave decision in leaving out Rohit Sharma. I wanted to make things clear. Let’s be honest.”

Meanwhile, Sanjay Manjrekar criticized Rohit Sharma’s comments on his future in the Indian Test team. The commentator said that withdrawal is a personal decision, but stressed that decisions about a player’s place in the squad and his lineup in the eleven will be made by the national selectors. He pointed out that the president of the selectors must determine the player’s future.

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Manjrekar further explained his point of view: “I loved that interview. That first part where he said he couldn’t have another out-of-form batsman in the XI, and that’s why he opted out. But there were other emotions too. One thing many players say is: “I will decide my future.” I have a problem with that. You can decide your future regarding retirement, but someone else has the job of deciding your future as a player and captain. “That is the chairman of selectors.”

The cricket expert concluded by saying: “You must respect the hierarchy, no matter how big you are. If the chairman of selectors is strong and believes in the long-term health of Indian cricket, he has the power to decide whether his career should end now, or whether he has a few more matches or one more series left. Retirement is in your hands, but playing for India is not.”