'How can you say I'm not interested in Tests?' - Ex-BCCI selector Paranjpe recalls Rohit Sharma's passion

Former BCCI selector Jatin Paranjpe believes that Rohit Sharma could have achieved much more in Test cricket than he ultimately did. The Indian veteran ended his red-ball career in an unexpected manner, announcing his retirement just before the squad for the England tour was to be selected, which also rushed the management to look for a new Test skipper.

Paranjpe also recalled a conversation with Rohit about his goals in the longest format of the game. While Rohit secured his place in India’s white-ball teams early on, it took him a longer time to find consistency and establish himself in the red-ball internationals' arena.

“I remember he was not playing Test cricket for India. And we had this conversation, and he said, 'I started playing cricket with a red ball, Jatin. How can you say that I am not interested in Test cricket?' I got the message, and I was hoping that that was what he would say,” Paranjpe said on 'A Century of Stories' podcast alongside Cyrus Broacha.

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He could've achieved a lot more: Paranjpe

The former Mumbai batter also mentioned that he was surprised when Rohit decided to drop himself from the Sydney Test against Australia during the 2024-25 tour. Although the then Indian skipper had earlier shown interest in travelling to England for the series, the decision to step away from the format came even before the squad was announced, and he was busy representing the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025.

“He said he lives for Test cricket. I think Rohit Sharma could have done a lot more in Test cricket. I think he would be the first one to say that as well. I was a little bit disappointed that he chose to drop himself in Sydney because we could have levelled the series,” Paranjpe added.

The former selector also recalled how Ravi Shastri’s decision to promote Rohit as a Test opener proved to be a turning point in the batter’s red-ball career.

“That's the big moment. I remember I was part of the selection committee at that time. That was Ravi Shastri's idea. Superb thinker. Ravi is 3–4 steps ahead of everybody when it comes to reading the game,” Paranjpe concluded.