3 major statements made by Rohit Sharma during interview on Day 2 of BGT 2024-25 5th Test 

Team India skipper Rohit Sharma has been the major talking point in the lead-up to the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Awful batting form, retirement talks, and not part of the playing XI for the must-win Test - Rohit has been all over the headlines in the past week or so.

After missing the first Test in Perth owing to the birth of his second child, Rohit returned to lead the side in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. India's performance has gone downhill since the Perth Test and so has Rohit's performance with the bat. The right-handed batter has managed to score only 31 runs across five innings in the series so far at a meager average of 6.20.

His dreadful batting form has led to talks about retirement, with many former cricketers claiming that Rohit had played his last red-ball game.

Rohit Sharma rebuked all such claims in an interview with Star Sports during the Lunch break on Day 2. He also spoke about whether he was 'dropped' or 'rested' from the playing XI.

On that note, let's look at three major statements from Rohit Sharma's interview on Sunday, January 4.

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#1 On his future as India's Test captain

With reports claiming that Rohit might announce his Test retirement after the conclusion of the Sydney Test, many tipped Jasprit Bumrah to take over the mantle.

When asked about his captaincy future, Rohit Sharma asserted that he wasn't announcing his retirement anytime soon. The 37-year-old said:

"Like I said, this decision is not a retirement decision, nor am I stepping aside from the game. I am sitting out this game since my bat isn't clicking. It doesn't mean it won't click five months or two months down the line. But at the same time I have to be realistic. Whatever someone writes sitting behind a laptop or pen doesn't matter. They don't get to decide when I retire, when I don't play. I am a successful man, a father of two kids so I know what I need in life."

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#2 Rohit Sharma on getting 'dropped', 'rested' or 'opted out'

Stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah, during the toss, stated that Rohit opted to rest for the fifth and final Test in Sydney. As a result, in-form Shubman Gill walked into the playing XI after missing the Melbourne Test.

Sharing his side of the story, Rohit asserted that he stood down in the best interest of the team because of his poor form with the bat.

"I stood down, that's what I will say," the incumbent India skipper stated. "There are fifty words that'll be thrown around. The chat that I had with the coach and the selectors was simple - runs weren't coming off my bat, I wasn't in form and it was a must-win match. I felt I had to inform the coach and the selectors and this was my decision. They told me you know your game best."

Rohit added that he took the decision after reaching Sydney and informed them on the eve of the Test match because he didn't want to inform the coach and selectors during the New Year.

"I am not thinking much of the future. At this point, this is what the team required. I took this call after coming here (not in Melbourne). We had only three days after the last Test and one of them was New Year's. I didn't want to tell the coach and selectors on that day. But it was important for me," he added.

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#3 On Sam Konstas-Jasprit Bumrah verbal battle

Jasprit Bumrah is known to be a calm and composed character on the field. His celebrations after picking up a wicket are also very mild, raising his two hands in joy with a bright smile on his face.

However, the ace speedster seemed all charged up and celebrated Usman Khawaja's wicket animatedly at the fag end of Day 1.

Incidentally, Bumrah had a verbal exchange with 19-year-old debutant Sam Konstas in the previous ball and the umpire had to separate the two cricketers.

It all began when Konstas and Khawaja were wasting time to make sure no further overs were bowled on Day 1. Bumrah seemed annoyed when Khawaja stopped him midway through his bowling run-up and hurled a few words at the batter. Konstas, stationed at the non-striker's end, got himself involved in the fight, asking the pacer to return to his mark. The Indian pacer also responded with a few words.

Tensions flared as both cricketers walked towards each other animatedly before the umpire separated the two.

Throwing light on the incident, Rohit Sharma stressed that while they are usually quiet on the field, they know how to give back when poked.

"Our boys, as long as you are quiet they are quiet. If you poke us they will bounce back. Our boys are classy - we focus on our work. We knew if we get wickets, we would put them under pressure," Rohit added.