‘Wasn’t sure I’ll play against him again’: Jos Buttler reveals emotional reason behind asking Rohit Sharma for his signed jersey

England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler has revealed the touching story behind his request for Rohit Sharma’s signed jersey, admitting he was unsure whether he would get another opportunity to play against the Indian legend.

The heartfelt exchange took place after the recently concluded ODI series between India and England at Lord’s, where the two experienced cricketers shared a memorable moment away from the spotlight.

‘He was the one player whose shirt I wanted’

Speaking on the podcast For The Love Of Cricket, Buttler admitted that Rohit’s jersey was the one item missing from his personal collection.

The England star described Rohit as an “absolute legend” and confessed that approaching the Indian captain made him unexpectedly nervous.

“He was the one player at the moment whose shirt I don’t have and wanted. He absolutely made me nervous because it was Rohit Sharma, an absolute legend,” Buttler said.

He also joked that he feared interrupting Rohit at the wrong moment, as the Indian batter was on an important phone call when he finally approached him.

How the special moment unfolded

Buttler revealed that India’s team management had initially requested his jersey for Rohit at the beginning of the series.

After the final ODI, he walked to the Indian dressing room to hand over his shirt, hoping to exchange it for Rohit’s.

However, the Indian captain was unavailable, having gone for a post-match interview.

Still determined, Buttler waited before eventually spotting Rohit in the historic Long Room at Lord’s.

Despite being on the phone, Rohit immediately paused his conversation after Buttler made the request.

According to Buttler, the Indian skipper apologised for being occupied, put the phone aside and happily agreed to exchange jerseys. Rohit also signed the shirt and added a personal message, making the gesture even more memorable.

‘I wasn’t sure I’ll play against him again’

Explaining why the exchange meant so much, Buttler admitted he was uncertain whether their paths would cross again on the international stage.

“I wasn’t sure I’ll play against him again,” Buttler said, highlighting the respect he has for one of India’s most successful batters.

His comments have sparked speculation among fans about the future of Rohit’s international career, although the Indian veteran has made no announcement regarding retirement from international cricket.

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A memorable series despite contrasting fortunes

The jersey exchange came after an entertaining ODI series between India and England.

England clinched the three-match series 2-1, despite Rohit producing a magnificent 138 off 110 balls in the deciding ODI.

Although Rohit’s century ended in a losing cause, it once again showcased his class at the highest level.

Buttler also played an important role for England in the series finale, smashing an unbeaten 41 runs from just 13 deliveries to help seal victory for the hosts.

Respect beyond rivalry

While India and England continue to share one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries, Buttler’s candid admission serves as another reminder of the mutual respect that exists between some of the game’s biggest stars.

For fans, the signed jersey was more than just a souvenir—it symbolised the admiration between two modern greats who have shared countless memorable battles on the international stage.