A New Conclave

GH on Rohit's farewell

Next week the Board of Control for Cricket in India is scheduled to move out of its Churchgate premises to commence a renovation. Overnight they made an early start, ending Rohit Sharma’s red ball reign after two-dozen Tests. It might have happened in Australia, where chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar was standing by when Rohit left himself out of the Sydney Test; it was further rumoured after the Champions Trophy. Gautam Gambhir proved as reliable a source as always, claiming on Tuesday: ‘When you start and when you end is your individual decision. No coach, no selector, no BCCI can tell you when you should call it quits. If you perform, you can jolly well play till 45, who’s stopping you?’ Aye, there’s the rub: Rohit averaged 11 over the last year. There’s also a hint Rohit was irked by some of the BCCI’s new diktats, and that the BCCI was irked by Rohit not getting the hint. Anyway, well done the Indian Express for getting the drop on its mates, leading yesterday with….

…and now taking a lap of honour with this….