"No doubt he has a future in stand-up comedy" - Former Aussie batter's cheeky take on Rohit Sharma's interview during BGT 2024-25 5th Test

Former Australian batter Simon Katich had a cheeky response to Indian skipper Rohit Sharma's interview on Day 2 of the fifth Test in Sydney. Rohit responded to growing speculation about his Test future after he opted out of the Sydney Test due to indifferent batting form.

The 37-year-old confirmed that he was not done playing Test cricket and was only sitting out due to a lack of runs. Rohit struggled in the three previous Tests of the Australian series, scoring only 31 runs at an average of 6.20 with a highest score of 10.

Rohit's failures played a massive role in India falling 1-2 behind after the fourth Test in Melbourne.

Reacting to Rohit's interview, Katich was quoted as saying by India Today:

"Well, if you look at the numbers, they are damning. We saw it in this Test. It was very selfless of him to opt out of the Test. I saw in that interview, very well-spoken. There’s no doubt he has a future after he is done playing cricket in stand-up comedy because his humour was very good."

Unfortunately, Rohit's move to rest himself paid no dividends as India suffered a six-wicket loss in the Sydney Test to concede the series 1-3. It also meant Australia hoisted the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time since the 2014-15 rubber.

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"Test cricket isn’t a place for 37-year-olds at the top of the order" - Simon Katich

BORDER GAVASKAR TROPHY TEST: DEC 30 NRMA Insurance Boxing Day Test - Source: Getty

Simon Katich questioned Rohit Sharma's ability to survive at the top of the order in Tests, considering India's next red-ball assignment happens to be in England in the middle of 2025.

Rohit has been in woeful Test form since September 2024, averaging under 11 in 15 innings with a lone half-century in that time.

"Only he knows whether he has the hunger and drive at 37 to go again. Test cricket isn’t a place for 37-year-olds at the top of the order. History suggests that, and only Rohit Sharma knows whether he has got the hunger to go on," Katich said in the same interaction.

"England is not going to be an easy series. England are on their way up. They have some good young quicks coming through. Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse are doing well. I dare say that will be a tough tour if he chooses to go on it and the Indian selectors pick him, first and foremost. Those numbers are not for pretty reading," he added.

Rohit has also struggled as India's Test captain, with the side losing five of their last six Tests under him, including a 0-3 home series whitewash to New Zealand.