India, July 18 -- Former selector Jatin Paranjpe reckons India could have levelled the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under had Rohit Sharma not "stood" down from the last Test in Sydney. The right-handed batter, who turned 38 earlier this year, dropped himself from the last Test of the five-match series after enduring a horrid run in the three Tests he played. The then Indian-captain was unable to put bat to ball, scoring just 31 runs. With the series in Australia's favour at 2-1, Rohit opted out of the decider, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the side in his absence.

Earlier this year, Rohit Sharma retired from Tests just days before the squad announcement for the England tour. Five days later, even Virat Kohli took the same call, bidding adi...