Former captain of the Australian national cricket team Ricky Ponting talked about the omission Rohit Sharma from the Indian XI for the ongoing Sydney Test. He said it was to be expected and it will be hard for him to come back now.
The last of Rohit Sharma in Test cricket was probably in Melbourne as the captain of the Indian national cricket team was dropped from the squad in the last ongoing match. The captain rested amid his poor form and took the decision in the best interest of the team.
Rohit Sharma looked torrid with the bat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The Indian captain struggled with his form and averaged just around 10 in serieswhich speaks volumes for his poor outings with the bat in the longest format of the game.
Rohit Sharma was replaced by Shubman Gill, who was dropped from the MCG to accommodate the top skipper. in his absence, jasprit bumrah is leading the team and chances are high that he will take over the job in Tests for good.
You'd think it's probably a long way back for Rohit Sharma now in this format of the game – Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting feels Rohit Sharma's omission was on the cards, adding that it will be a long road back for him. While speaking to ICC about the development, he explained:
“I think the reaction was that everyone expected this to happen. The talk was in the last couple of days that everyone expected Rohit not to play this game, Shubman Gill to come back and (Jasprit) Bumrah probably to take over the captaincy again and that's how it turned out.”
“You would think it is probably a long way back for Rohit Sharma now in this format of the game. India don't play a Test match, I think, until the middle or end of June, which is a long way off when you get to the end of your career.”
I think it will be a long – and probably difficult – road back for him – Ricky Ponting on Rohit Sharma
Ricky Ponting further hailed Rohit as a tremendous player for India but noted that he is at the stage of his career where a comeback will be difficult. He added:
“I think he's been a great player for India, so with those guys you wish them all the best and hopefully we'll see them back there, but like I said, I think it's going to be a long and probably difficult road. – back for him.”
So the way they actually worded it, you can only take it at face value – Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting further spoke about reports that Rohit had quit the game, saying he was surprised by the comment. He added that it was an interesting call by the team to leave the captain in an important game. He explained:
“I was very surprised to hear the term 'quit' come up in such an important game. We know he has been a big believer in Indian cricket for a long time.
“So the way they actually worded it, you can only take it at face value. We have to believe what we hear from the Indian camp, but with it being such a big game, knowing that they have to win it to retain the trophy, it has been an exciting time for one of their more experienced players. to give up.”
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