Rohit Sharma to retire after IND vs AUS BGT Test series? Rumors are flying as chief selector Ajit Agarkar reaches Melbourne

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma's recent lean spell has come into focus as Chief Selector Ajith Agarkar's presence in Melbourne sparked talk of the skipper's likely retirement. Sharma's poor run continues from the Test series against New Zealand in November and against Bangladesh in September-October.

But his performance in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy was the worst. In the 2nd Test, Sharma played at number 6, scoring 3 off 23 balls and 6 off 15 balls in the 2nd innings. In the third Test, which was a draw, the Indian skipper scored 10 off 27 balls in the first innings.

However, he took the decision to open and moved KL Rahul to number 3. Unfortunately, this change didn't work either as Sharma was dismissed for just 3 runs off 5 balls.

Sunil Gavaskar, while speaking on broadcaster '7Cricket', had said, “These are tough times for him.” There will be a second innings and two more in Sydney. If he doesn't score in those three innings, questions will be asked.

With his continued lackluster performances, questions are being raised as to whether the 38-year-old Indian captain will retire from Test cricket soon.

A message from the news agency PTI stated that National Selection Committee Chairman Ajit Agarkar is also in Melbourne. The report claimed that it would not be a surprise if it is revealed that Agarkar and Sharma, two former teammates, have discussed the future of Indian cricket as the team navigates a challenging transition phase.

Questions are also being raised as to whether the skipper should be more pragmatic and drop himself out of the round of 11 match for the Sydney Test for the sake of the team, allowing an in-form KL Rahul to continue against a rampaging Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Earlier, Gautam Gambhir had taken a bold step and resigned as the T20 opener. The current national team coach once quit during his playing days in the IPL after a terrible first phase and acknowledged that his time as a T20 opener had come to an end. Recently, Ravichandran Ashwin also retired and he made it clear that he is not even among the top two spinners in overseas conditions.

According to the PTI report, Sharma can play ODIs if the Test responsibility is not on his shoulders.

Earlier in November, before the BGT series, former Indian cricketer and selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth had said that if Rohit fails to get going in the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, the Indian captain could retire from Test cricket, even before the selectors would make the hard decision. .

On his YouTube channel, he said: 100 percent, you have to start thinking ahead (if India doesn't do well in Australia). If Rohit Sharma doesn't do well, I think he himself will retire from Test cricket, for all you know. He will only play ODIs. He has already left T20I cricket. We must not forget that he is also getting older. He's not getting any younger.”

Ricky points at Sharma's batting with a punch

Analyzing his dismissal for 7Cricket, former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting said: That's just a lazy, not switched on, not suited to the second type of shot. He's been known as one of the best hookers and ball pullers since he made his debut, but that's just not there. It's nothing. It's not committed, it doesn't really seem aggressive, it just wants to tap it on the head. It (the ball) might have stayed in the wicket, yes. It might have wiped out a fraction of him. But if you want to survive this Australian attack, you need to be armed. You have to make good decisions. If you don't, they'll knock you down every time.