Sanjay Manjrekar On Rohit Sharma: Retirement Is In Your Hands, But Playing For India Not
The Indian skipper Rohit Sharma cleared all the rumors of his retirement in a recent interview on Day 2 of the Sydney Test. He opted out in the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which hinted that he has been dropped from the playing XI of the team. But in a candid interview with Star Sports, he talked openly about his future, stating that he won't be retiring anytime soon.
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar on Rohit's retirement stated that retirement is a personal decision, but playing for the team is not, as it will be decided by the selectors. He also believes that Rohit came for the interview because he thought that Gambhir was getting all the credit for a brave call by leaving him out.
"But there was also another reason why he was doing that interview. To clear the air, somewhere I think Gambhir was getting all the credit for a brave call by leaving Rohit Sharma out. He wanted to set the record straight. Let's be honest."
"I loved that interview. That first bit where he said I couldn't have another out-of-form batter in the XI, and that's why he opted out. But there were some other emotions too."
"Retirement is in your hands, but playing for India not" - Sanjay Manjrekar
Manjrekar said that many players say that they will decide their future, but the only thing they can decide is when to take retirement. Somebody else has got the job to decide the future of a player, and captain, that is, the chairman of selectors. Everyone has to respect their decision no matter who you are.
"One thing that a lot of players say is that 'I will decide my future.' I have a problem with that. You can decide your future with regards to retirement, but somebody else has got the job to decide your future as a player and captain."
Further Manjrekar said,
"That's the chairman of selectors. You have got to respect the hierarchy, however big you are. If the chairman of selectors is strong and he believes in the long-term health of Indian cricket, he has the power to decide whether your career should end now, or you get a few more matches, or one more series. Retirement is in your hands, but playing for India is not."