'If you don't think about team, then why are you here?' - Rohit Sharma gives sneak peek into mindset behind SCG decision

Rohit Sharma has been receiving massive praise for his candid comments during an interview at Lunch on Day 2 of the fifth and final Test match Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Saturday, January 4.

After Rohit decided to drop himself from India's playing XI for the fifth Test, it was being speculating that it was the end of the road for the Indian skipper in the longest format of the game. However, he cleared the air, saying that he "stepped down" and stayed out of the match to allow an in-form player to get a look-in as he had been struggling to score runs. Rohit said that his decision was in the best interest of the team as India look to square the series and retain the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

"I have not come so far to just sit out. I have come to win matches for the team. From the day I came into the Indian dressing room in 2007, it has been the same. But sometimes, you need to understand what the need of the team is. If you don't think about team, then why are you here? It's all about teamwork. I can't speak about others, but I am like this. If somebody does not like this, it's okay," Rohit explained

"I'm not scoring runs with the bat. Form is not there. Can't carry too many out-of-form players in the team. The decision was difficult. But the thought was about what the team needed," he added.

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Rohit had managed to score just 31 runs in the Test series in five innings at a paltry average of 6.20. However, the Nagpur-born said that he isn't looking to retire from the red-ball format as he is hoping to turn things around over the next few months.