In what comes out now as a shocking and surprising revelation, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel had no inkling about Rohit Sharma's decision to call it quits from Test cricket. The 38-year-old set the social media ablaze by sharing a heartfelt note on Instagram about hanging his boots from red-ball format after playing 67 matches for India since making his debut in the format in 2013.
The five-member selection panel held a meeting at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on May 06, which had all the top names, but not the head coach Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma, according to CricBuzz report. President Roger Binny, secretary Devajit Saikia and GM Abey Kuruvilla were among those prominent members present for the inauguration of the Sachin Tendulkar Room and Sunil Gavaskar Room.
The reason for Rohit Sharma's absence might be due to Mumbai Indians (MI) playing a game against Gujarat Titans (GT) on Tuesday, May 06, the day of the meeting. Before sharing a story on social media, the 38-year-old had sent an official email to the top brass of BCCI on Wednesday, May 07. Rohit's decision to quit from red-ball format has ended numerous speculations about his participation and being the leader of the team for the upcoming five-match Test series against England starting on June 20.
Also Read:Rohit Sharma Captaincy Record in All Formats: T20I, ODI & Test
Rohit Sharma's sudden retirement from Tests surprises selectors
For the unversed, the team India opener's form had significantly dipped in Test cricket for the last year or so, as he averaged below 30 in the 2024 season. He hit an all-time low when he averaged a dismal-looking 6.52 in Tests in Down Under in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. While talks were going around among the selectors to sack Rohit from captaincy in Test cricket, he shook everyone from announcing retirement from Test cricket.
Also Read:Â MCA finalizes date, set to inaugurate Rohit Sharma, Ajit Wadekar & Sharad Pawer stands on May 13
Rohit ends his Test career with 4301 runs from 67 Tests with an average of 40.58, with 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries to his name.
