New Delhi, August 14, 2025 – Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has opened up about the much-discussed interview he conducted with Rohit Sharma in Sydney during the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, clarifying that politeness during the broadcast was mistaken by some as excessive support for the under-fire captain.

Rohit Sharma, then India’s Test captain, had decided to opt out of the fifth and final Test against Australia in Sydney citing poor form. He had already missed the series opener and managed just 164 runs in the three Tests he played, with only one half-century. His batting average of 6.20 during the tour became the lowest ever by a visiting captain in Australia (minimum five innings), sparking speculation that he might be dropped from the playing XI.

Speaking in a clip shared by Lallantop, Pathan revealed that the broadcasting team, including himself, had to maintain a respectful tone during the interview because Rohit was their guest, even though they were clear in their cricketing assessment. “Rohit Sharma is an amazing player in white-ball cricket, but his average in Test cricket that year was 6. If he was not the captain, he would not have had a place in the team – and this is true,” Pathan said.

He added that being courteous on air was standard practice, not favoritism. “People say that we supported Rohit Sharma more than necessary. Of course, when someone comes to your broadcasting channel, you will not misbehave with them. You have invited him, so you will behave politely. We were polite, yes, but we had also said clearly that if he was not the captain, he would have been dropped,” Pathan explained.

According to Pathan, this balance between broadcast etiquette and honest cricket analysis was misinterpreted by some fans. “We had said that he should keep fighting, but at the same time, he should not have had a place in the playing XI if not for his captaincy role,” he reiterated.

The Sydney Test and the Australian tour ultimately turned out to be Rohit’s last appearance in Test cricket. Earlier this year, ahead of the home series against England, Rohit announced his retirement from the format.

Rohit made his Test debut against the West Indies in November 2013 and went on to play 67 matches, scoring 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57. His career included 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries, with a highest score of 212 against South Africa in 2019 – a knock remembered as one of his finest in red-ball cricket.

Days after Rohit’s decision, former captain Virat Kohli also retired from Test cricket, marking the end of an era for Indian batting in the longest format.

Pathan’s remarks now offer clarity on the Sydney interview, showing that while the broadcasters maintained professional courtesy, they did not shy away from acknowledging Rohit’s poor form and the fact that, under normal circumstances, it would have cost him his place in the side.