With India’s World Test Championship (WTC) aspirations extinguished following their Border-Gavaskar Trophy series defeat, the focus has shifted to the future of two senior figures in the Test setup: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. While Rohit clarified that his absence from the Sydney Test did not signify retirement, his widely circulated remark, “I’m not going anywhere,” reportedly held little sway within BCCI corridors.

The upcoming BCCI Special General Meeting (SGM), set for Sunday, will see Devajit Saikia take over as the board’s secretary. Among the agenda items, Rohit’s Test career is likely to come under scrutiny after his dismal showing in Australia.

The 37-year-old’s performance in the series was disheartening, as he managed just 31 runs in five innings at a paltry average of 6.2—the worst by a visiting captain in Australia. This compounded a prolonged slump that has seen him score only 164 runs in his last eight Tests since September, averaging a little over 10 with just one fifty.

Rohit’s Decision Sparks Retirement Speculation

Rohit’s decision to “opt-out” of the crucial Sydney Test added fuel to speculation about his Test future. However, he addressed the rumors during an interview with Star Sports, asserting, “I’m not going anywhere.” Despite this, a report by the Hindustan Times suggests that Rohit’s statement has not significantly influenced opinions within the BCCI.

As Saikia prepares for a series of review meetings with the team management and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, sources within the board have indicated that Rohit’s comments were not viewed as decisive.

‘Rohit Was Looking for an Escape Route’

Rohit’s struggles were evident throughout the series. After batting at No. 6 in the second and third Tests, he promoted himself to open in Melbourne, pushing KL Rahul to No. 3 and excluding Shubman Gill from the XI. However, after failing in both innings of the Boxing Day Test, Rohit opted out of the Sydney decider, making room for in-form players.

A senior BCCI official revealed that Rohit’s decision to step aside in Sydney was primarily motivated by India’s fading WTC final hopes.

“Rohit was waiting to see if India could find an escape route to the WTC final,” the official said on condition of anonymity. “Now, it’s really up to him whether he wants to continue competing for a spot. But ultimately, the decision will rest with Ajit Agarkar and his selection committee.”

Uncertain Test Future

Rohit’s poor returns, combined with his advanced age and the emergence of younger players, have put his Test career in jeopardy. While his leadership in white-ball cricket remains uncontested, his place in the longest format of the game faces mounting questions.

The series review meeting could mark a turning point, with Agarkar and his team expected to weigh India’s long-term Test goals against the captain’s current form. Whether Rohit chooses to fight for his spot or step aside gracefully remains to be seen.