In a move that has reverberated across the cricketing world, Rohit Sharma has announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect on today. The 38-year-old confirmed his decision via an emotional post on Instagram, bringing an end to a distinguished career in the longest format of the game that spanned over a decade.
Sharma’s Test journey commenced in 2013 against the West Indies in Kolkata, a debut he marked with a brilliant century, scoring 177 runs. This dream start hinted at the potential he possessed in the red-ball arena. Over his 12-year Test career, Rohit played 67 matches, amassing 4301 runs at an average of 40.57. His tally includes 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries, with a highest score of 212 against South Africa in 2019. Notably, all of his 12 Test centuries resulted in victories for India, a testament to his impactful performances.
While he showcased his class with memorable innings, including a magnificent 161 against England in Chennai (2021) and a crucial 127 at The Oval (2021), his Test career was marked by periods of inconsistency, particularly in the initial years when he batted in the middle order. A turning point came in 2019 when he was promoted to open the innings, a move that brought him greater success.
In 2021, Rohit took over the reins as India’s 35th Test captain, following Virat Kohli’s resignation. He led the team in 24 Test matches, securing 12 wins, suffering nine losses, and drawing three. Under his captaincy, India reached the final of the World Test Championship in the 2021-23 cycle. Significant series victories under his leadership include wins against Sri Lanka (2-0 at home), Bangladesh (2-0 away and 2-0 at home), and a notable 4-1 triumph over England at home in 2024. However, India also faced series losses against New Zealand (0-3 at home in 2024) and Australia (1-3 away in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy) during his tenure.
His recent form had been a subject of scrutiny, with a dip in his batting average in the lead-up to his retirement. In his last nine Tests, he averaged a mere 10.93. This likely played a part in the speculation surrounding his place in the Test side for the upcoming series in England.
While Rohit Sharma has decided to hang up his boots in Test cricket, he has clarified that he will continue to represent India in the One Day International (ODI) format. Having also retired from T20Is after leading India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup, he will now focus solely on the 50-over format.
His retirement from Test cricket opens up discussions about the future captaincy of the Indian Test team, with names like Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant being considered as potential successors.
Rohit Sharma’s Test career will be remembered for his elegant strokeplay, his ability to shift gears, and the match-winning contributions he made, especially in the latter part of his red-ball journey as an opener and captain. While the inconsistency might have prevented him from reaching the heights he achieved in white-ball cricket, his century on debut, his double hundred, and his crucial runs in challenging conditions stand out as highlights of a Test career that Indian cricket fans will fondly recall.
