“I Am Actually Shocked”: Ajinkya Rahane On Rohit Sharma’s Sudden Test Retirement

Busy with the Kolkata Knight Riders’ Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 marketing campaign, skipper Ajinkya Rahane was bowled over when knowledgeable that his Mumbai mate Rohit Sharma has introduced retirement from Test cricket. The determination from Rohit got here as Rahane was getting ready for KKR’s league conflict in opposition to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Speaking to the media after the sport, Rahane got here to know of Rohit’s determination to give up, and the KKR skipper admitted being “shocked”. Rahane did not imagine he was listening to such information and mentioned that he would give Rohit a name as soon as he was again within the dressing room.

“Oh, is it?” Rahane mentioned when knowledgeable of Rohit’s Test retirement. “I didn’t know. I’m actually shocked. I was playing a game, so I wasn’t aware. But I just want to wish him the best.”

“He started in the middle order at No. 5 or 6 and then opened the innings. The way he adapted was amazing. He always looked to take on bowlers and play with freedom – that’s something he wanted others to do as well,” Rahane mentioned.

“I’ll probably call him once I get back to the dressing room or send him a message,” Rahane added. “But I definitely want to congratulate him on a fantastic Test career.”

As for the match, Rahane’s KKR suffered a slim defeat in opposition to CSK, particularly after the way in which Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube orchestrated a particularly priceless partnership within the center.

“It was really tough (pill to swallow and lose),” Rahane mentioned after the match. “We were 10-15 short, 185-195 would have been an ideal total on this pitch.”

“Absolutely. In this format, one over can change the momentum. They (Brevis and Dube) took their chances, and it paid off. It’s all about being brave, and they were really brave.”

With the defeat, KKR’s playoffs qualification probabilities have additionally hit all-time low. Though the workforce continues to be mathematically within the race, Rahane is barely desirous about successful the remaining two video games after which seeing what occurs. “Try to win two out of two, and then see what happens from there,” he mentioned.