In a major development in Indian cricket, Rohit Sharma has officially announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect. The seasoned opener and former captain made the announcement via social media on Tuesday, ending a significant chapter of his illustrious international career.
The decision comes amid reports that the national selectors had planned to remove him as Test captain ahead of the upcoming five-match Test series against England. Rather than facing the axe, Rohit opted to step away on his own terms.
“Hello everyone, I would just like to share that I am retiring from Test cricket. It’s been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites. Thank you for all the love and support over the years. I will continue to represent India in the ODI format,” Rohit wrote in a heartfelt message on his social media accounts.
Rohit’s Test form had been under scrutiny for a while, especially following disappointing performances in recent series. A string of low scores against New Zealand and Australia proved to be the final straw. India suffered a shock 3-0 whitewash at home against the Blackcaps, followed by a 3-1 defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25. These setbacks raised serious questions about the leadership and batting form of the 37-year-old.
He was unavailable for the first Test of the Australia series in Perth but returned for the second match. However, after failing to make an impact across three games, he chose to sit out the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. At that time, Rohit was unwilling to retire, expressing a desire to lead the side in the forthcoming series against England under Ben Stokes.
Despite leading India to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Rohit’s position remained under threat. Sources suggest that the selection panel, led by Ajit Agarkar, had already made up its mind to move forward with a new direction in Test cricket and communicated the same to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Rohit Sharma finishes his Test career with more than 3,500 runs and a respectable average, including memorable centuries at home and abroad. Having transformed his game from a middle-order batsman to a solid opener in the longest format, he leaves behind a legacy of grit and leadership.
While his Test career comes to a close, fans can still expect to see Rohit don the Indian jersey in ODI cricket, where he remains a vital cog in the team setup.
