‘Retirement is a joke these days…, will Rohit Sharma take back his retirement from T20? Hitman gave this answer

Vilas Dhadke
8 Min Read
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma
Source: Social Media

Rohit Sharma Interview in Hindi:

Test and ODI captain Rohit Sharma has retired from T20. After winning the 2024 T20 World Cup title for India, Rohit Sharma said goodbye to T20 International. After this, Rohit batted like T20 in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, after which there was a discussion that maybe Rohit would withdraw his retirement from T20. But now he has given a funny answer on the U-turn from retirement. 

Ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh, Rohit Sharma said on Geo Cinema, “These days retirement has become a joke in world cricket. People announce retirement but then come back to play. This has not happened in India. However, I have been watching players from other countries, they announce retirement but then take a U-turn. So you never know if someone has actually retired or not.”

Rohit says about his retirement from T20 International, “My decision is final and I am very clear. This was the right time to say goodbye to T20 International. I am not taking back my retirement.” Rohit also said that he loved playing the T20 format. 

Rohit will continue playing in IPL 

Let us tell you that Rohit Sharma has just retired from T20 International. He will continue to play in IPL. However, there is a discussion that his team will change in IPL 2025. If media reports are to be believed, Rohit Sharma has made up his mind to separate from Mumbai Indians, and he may be seen playing in some other team in the upcoming season. It was also reported that Lucknow Super Giants wants to make the T20 World Cup winner their captain. In such a situation, it will be interesting to see which team Rohit is seen playing for in IPL 2025. 

The modern era of cricket has blurred the lines between retirement and comebacks. With players frequently stepping away from formats only to return after short breaks, the concept of “retirement” has become a fluid term. Among the ongoing speculations, one of the biggest talking points is whether Rohit Sharma, India’s “Hitman,” will come out of his self-imposed T20I hiatus and return to the shortest format of the game.

In a recent interview, Rohit Sharma was asked about his future in T20 internationals and whether the door was completely shut on his comeback. His candid response, “Retirement is a joke these days,” has only added fuel to the speculation. Let’s dive deeper into the reasons behind Rohit’s current T20 absence, his recent comments, and the possibility of his return.

Rohit Sharma’s T20 Hiatus: A Strategic Move?

Rohit Sharma has been one of the most successful T20 captains and players in Indian cricket history. Leading India to the T20 World Cup 2024 title and dominating the IPL with the Mumbai Indians, he has nothing left to prove in the shortest format. However, after the World Cup win, Rohit opted for a hiatus from T20 internationals, focusing instead on the longer formats—ODIs and Test cricket.

Several factors likely contributed to this decision:

  1. Workload Management: Rohit, now 37, has been playing non-stop cricket for over a decade. Managing the physical and mental toll of multiple formats is challenging, and with the ODI World Cup 2024 and crucial Test series ahead, prioritizing formats became essential.
  2. Focus on ODIs and Tests: With the 50-over World Cup on the horizon and India’s ambition to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Rohit’s leadership and experience are invaluable in the longer formats. This strategic focus has kept him away from T20s, where younger players are being groomed for the future.
  3. Grooming the Next T20 Captain: The Indian team is in a transition phase in T20 cricket. Players like Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav have been handed leadership responsibilities to build a strong core for the future. Rohit’s absence in T20s could be a conscious decision to pave the way for the next generation of Indian cricketers.

“Retirement is a Joke”: What Did Rohit Mean?

Rohit Sharma’s recent comment, “Retirement is a joke these days,” reflects the evolving nature of cricket careers in modern times. Many players, including MS Dhoni and Chris Gayle, have taken breaks or partial retirements from certain formats only to make a comeback when the time and opportunity align.

By saying this, Rohit seems to be addressing the fact that the decision to step away from a format doesn’t necessarily mean the end. Cricketers now have the luxury of picking and choosing formats based on their physical and mental well-being, which gives them greater flexibility in extending their careers.

While this statement leaves the door open for a potential T20 comeback, it also emphasizes that Rohit is not currently in a rush to return. His focus remains on the immediate challenges in ODIs and Tests, but, as with many cricketers these days, retirement is not a final word—it’s simply a pause.

Will Rohit Sharma Return to T20 Cricket?

Given Rohit’s status in Indian cricket and the unpredictable nature of modern retirements, there’s always a chance that he could return to T20s in the future. If India needs his experience and leadership, especially in high-stakes tournaments like the T20 World Cup, a call-up might be in the cards.

Moreover, Rohit’s ability to adapt to any format and his love for the game makes a comeback plausible. With T20 cricket evolving rapidly and India experimenting with new faces, his return could be a stabilizing factor when needed.

Conclusion: A Comeback Isn’t Off the Table

Rohit Sharma’s T20 hiatus appears to be more of a break than a permanent retirement. His recent comments reflect the fluid nature of retirement in modern cricket, where players often take strategic pauses rather than closing the door entirely. For fans of the “Hitman,” the possibility of seeing him don the Indian jersey in T20s again remains alive, especially as the cricketing landscape continues to evolve.

As for now, Rohit seems content focusing on his ODI and Test duties, but if the opportunity and circumstances align, a T20 comeback could very well be on the horizon. After all, in Rohit’s words, “retirement is a joke these days!”

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