'Retirement has become a joke' - India skipper Rohit Sharma takes sly dig at players reversing retirement decision

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from T20 International cricket after India lifted the T20 World Cup 2024 in June. The 37-year-old has now not only reaffirmed his decision but taken a subtle dig at the recent trend of players reversing their retirement choices.

Alongside teammates Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, Rohit also chose to bid farewell to the shortest format of the game at the peak of success, having led India to a brilliant win against South Africa in the final at Barbados. The veteran did not mince words when addressing the current retirement situation in cricket. 

“Retirement has become a joke these days in the world of cricket. People announce retirement but then return to play. It hasn’t happened in India, it’s rare here. However, I have been observing players from other countries – they announce retirement but then make a U-turn. So you never really know whether someone has actually retired," Rohit said on JioCinema.

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My decision is final and I am very clear: Rohit Sharma

The opener's decision to retire from T20Is was carefully considered and timed. Sharma explained that the time he retired was the perfect thing to do and feels it was the best time to move on from the game.

"My decision is final and I am very clear. It was a perfect time to say goodbye to the format which I really loved playing. I played 50-over cricket for India and then directly I played T20 World Cup in 2007. I won then and then this one too (2024 T20 World Cup). Good time to move on,” he added.

In 159 matches, Sharma has scored 4231 runs at a strike rate of 140.89, including five centuries and 32 fifties. Meanwhile, Rohit will continue to represent India in Tests and ODIs. He is set to lead the team in the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh, kicking off a packed Test season for India. Additionally, Sharma is preparing for the 2025 Champions Trophy.