Rohit’s Test Retirement Was Probably Long Overdue: Cullinan
The recent retirement of Rohit Sharma from Test cricket has sent shockwaves throughout the cricketing world. The Indian batting sensation, known for his incredible form at home, has decided to call it quits on the longest format of the game. While many fans and experts are still trying to come to terms with the news, former South African star Daryll Cullinan has weighed in with his thoughts on the matter.
In an interview with Cricket.com, Cullinan reckoned that Rohit’s Test retirement was long overdue. “Rohit’s retirement was probably long overdue in terms of test cricket away from India. Let’s be honest about it. He hasn’t really been the player that he throughout his career has been at home and we saw reluctance from him in Australia,” Cullinan said.
Cullinan’s comments are not entirely surprising, given the fact that Rohit has struggled in away Tests throughout his career. The Indian batsman has an impressive average of over 50 at home, but his away record is much more pedestrian. In 28 Tests outside of India, Rohit has averaged just over 28, with only eight half-centuries to his name.
The former South African star also touched on Rohit’s performance in the recent Test series against Australia. “We saw reluctance from him in Australia. He didn’t look comfortable at all. He didn’t look like the same player that we’ve seen at home. And that’s what I think led to the decision to retire from Test cricket,” Cullinan said.
Cullinan’s comments are likely to spark a debate about Rohit’s decision to retire from Test cricket. While some fans will argue that the Indian batsman is still a world-class player, others will point to his struggles away from home as evidence that he made the right call.
It’s worth noting that Rohit has been struggling with form and fitness issues in recent times. He has been plagued by injuries and has struggled to find his rhythm in Test matches. Given his struggles, it’s possible that he made the decision to retire from Test cricket to focus on other formats of the game.
The retirement of Rohit Sharma is a significant blow to the Indian Test team. The batsman has been a key player for the team in recent years, and his experience and skills will be missed. However, the decision is likely to pave the way for younger players to come in and stake their claim for a spot in the team.
In conclusion, while Rohit’s retirement from Test cricket is a disappointing development for fans, it’s also possible that it’s a wise decision given his struggles away from home. As Cullinan pointed out, Rohit hasn’t been the same player in away Tests, and his reluctance in Australia was evident. Perhaps it’s time for the Indian batsman to focus on other formats of the game and allow younger players to come in and take his place.
