'Rested' India skipper Rohit says not retiring from Test cricket

New Delhi: India captain Rohit Sharma said Saturday he stood down from the decisive ongoing fifth Australia Test because he was not in form but insist...

New Delhi: India captain Rohit Sharma said Saturday he stood down from the decisive ongoing fifth Australia Test because he was not in form but insisted he was not retiring.

The acclaimed opener has had a poor series, with critics suggesting his omission from the Test -- with the visitors down 2-1 going into the match at the Sydney Cricket Ground -- was the end of his red-ball career.

But the 37-year-old has hit back, telling Indian broadcaster Star Sports at the SCG: "I'm not going anywhere."

"This decision is not a retirement decision nor am I going to step aside from the game," he added.

Rohit missed the first Test in Perth for the birth of his second child and has not looked fully engaged since, failing to get past 10 runs in any of his five innings.