I would not have let Rohit Sharma miss Sydney Test, Says Ravi Shastri

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has revealed about an experience that has lingered in his mind for some time—the non-inclusion of Rohit Sharma in the final Test of India's 2024-25 tour of Australia.

Shastri feels that if he was still coaching at the time of that series, Rohit would not have been given permission to bench himself even when he was out of form.

Rohit, who had not played the first Test because of personal issues, withdrew from the final match of the four-Test series after making only 31 runs in five innings. He termed the action a "selfless decision." India went on to lose the series 1–3.

In a recent episode of the ICC Review, Shastri spoke of having a conversation with Rohit during this year's IPL, reminiscing about how he would've handled the situation otherwise.

"Rohit was seen a lot during the toss, and you don't get much time to speak there. But I did put a hand on his shoulder in one of the matches—I think it was in Mumbai—and said, 'If I was coach, you would've played that last Test. The series wasn't over,'" Shastri mentioned.

Rohit has retired from Test cricket since, after stepping down from the T20 format earlier.

Shastri emphasized that his approach would have been more aggressive. “I’m not someone who throws in the towel at 2-1. If your mindset is to step aside at that stage, that’s not the time to walk away from the team,” he said.

The ex-coach emphasized that Rohit's availability in the Sydney Test might have proved to be the difference-maker. "It was a 30-40 run match. And that is what I have said to him. The Sydney pitch was so pungent. Regardless of how he was playing, he is a match-winner," he continued.

Shastri is convinced that even a 35–40 by Rohit off the very top could have altered the result of the match—and the series. "If he would've walked out there, understood the conditions, and played a good knock, it could have been different. That series could have been on level terms. But each one has his own style. This would have been my way, and I had to inform him.". It had been on my mind for a long time."

Rohit and co-senior player Virat Kohli have both retired from Test cricket, just before India's next tour of England, the start of a new era in the World Test Championship cycle.