Rohit Sharma’s sudden retirement from Test cricket has taken his long-time teammate and fellow Mumbaikar Ajinkya Rahane by surprise. Engaged in a must-win IPL match for Kolkata Knight Riders against Chennai Super Kings on Wednesday, Rahane was unaware that Rohit had called time on his red-ball career earlier the same day.The veteran batter, who shares a deep bond with Rohit from their Mumbai cricket days, said he would connect with him soon.“Oh, is it? I just want to wish him the best. I thought he has done fantastically well in the Test format. I didn’t know (about the retirement),” the KKR skipper said during the post-match media interaction following his team’s two-wicket loss to CSK at Eden Gardens.
“I’m actually shocked. I didn’t know that he retired in the Test format. But I just want to wish him the best,” he added.Rahane, 36, a seasoned Test specialist who has been out of India’s red-ball setup for two years, continues to hold on to the hope of a national comeback.Meanwhile, it is understood that Rohit had been contemplating Test retirement since India’s Champions Trophy triumph in March this year.Rahane praised Rohit’s transformation as a red-ball batter, especially after taking on the challenge of opening the innings.“Whatever his plans are, he has done really well, improved his game, as a Test batter. He started his career 5-6 number and then opened the innings,” Rahane said.
“I thought the way he adapted to that opening slot was amazing to see. He always wanted to take on the bowlers, play with freedom. And that’s what he wanted other players to do as well, play with freedom.”Rohit, 38, announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect, drawing curtains on a red-ball career that began in 2013. His resurgence as a Test opener in 2019 marked a significant turning point in his career.Having already stepped away from T20Is after leading India to a World Cup title last year, Rohit will now focus solely on leading the national side in ODIs.
