For the first time since retiring from Test cricket, Rohit Sharma has opened up about his decision and the emotional reaction from his father, Gurunath Sharma. Speaking at the launch of Puja Pujara’s book “The Diary of a Cricketer’s Wife”, Rohit revealed that his father—an avid fan of red-ball cricket—was “a little disappointed” with the announcement.
A Father’s Love for Test Cricket
Rohit shared that his father never showed much excitement about his white-ball milestones but would deeply engage whenever he performed in the red-ball format.
“Even when I scored 264 in ODIs, he said, ‘Well played’—that’s it. But if I scored a 30 or 40 in Tests, he’d talk to me about it for hours,” Rohit said.
Gurunath Sharma, who worked in a transport company, played a pivotal role in Rohit’s cricketing journey, sacrificing much to support his dream.
From Struggles to Success in Tests
Rohit’s Test career saw its highs and lows. Though he started slow, his move to open the innings in 2019 under Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri changed everything. He went on to play 67 Tests, scoring 4301 runs at an average of 40.57, including 12 centuries and 18 fifties.
He also captained India in the WTC Final 2023, though India fell short against Australia.
Retirement Announcement and Future Plans
In May 2025, just ahead of the England tour squad announcement, Rohit confirmed his retirement via an Instagram story, stating:
“It’s been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites.”
While stepping away from Tests, Rohit continues to lead India in ODIs.
Tribute to a Father’s Role
Rohit ended his reflection by acknowledging his father’s role in shaping his career:
“Without their help, it never would have been possible.”
Stay tuned for all the latest Cricket news, match highlights, player analysis and viral moments!