In a significant moment for Indian cricket, captain Rohit Sharma has announced his retirement from Test cricket effective immediately. The announcement was made on May 7, 2025, through his Instagram account, where the 38-year-old expressed gratitude for the support he received throughout his career in the longest format of the game.
Rohit stated, "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." This decision comes on the heels of reports that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was preparing to remove him from the Test captaincy ahead of the upcoming five-match tour to England.
The timing of his announcement raises eyebrows, especially since it follows a period of poor form that has plagued Rohit in recent Test matches. He struggled in the home series against New Zealand and faced challenges during the tour of Australia, where he even dropped himself from the fifth Test due to his lack of runs. In total, Rohit has played 67 Test matches, accumulating 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, including 12 centuries and 18 fifties.
Rohit's Test career began with a memorable debut against the West Indies in November 2013 at the iconic Eden Gardens, where he scored 177 runs. India won that match by an innings and 51 runs, and it was also notable for being Sachin Tendulkar's penultimate Test appearance. Rohit’s journey in Test cricket has been marked by highs and lows, including a remarkable highest score of 212 runs against South Africa in Ranchi in 2019.
Under Rohit’s leadership, India qualified for the World Test Championship final in 2023 but suffered a defeat against Australia. He took over the captaincy from Virat Kohli in 2022, leading the national team in 24 Tests, winning 12 and losing 9. Despite early success, Rohit’s recent struggles with the bat have raised questions about his future in the format.
As he steps away from Test cricket, the focus now shifts to who will take over the captaincy. Shubman Gill has emerged as a potential candidate, but with Jasprit Bumrah having already led the team to victory against Australia in Adelaide during Rohit’s absence, he is also in contention. However, selectors may hesitate to appoint Bumrah as a full-time captain due to concerns over his fitness. Other names in the mix include Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul, both of whom have shown promise in their roles.
With Rohit’s retirement from Test cricket, the Indian cricket landscape is poised for a shift. His decision marks the end of an era for a player who has been a significant figure in Indian cricket, especially in the white-ball formats. The cricketing community will undoubtedly reflect on his contributions to the game as they await the next chapter in his career, focusing on ODIs.
As Rohit continues to represent India in One Day Internationals, fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching how he adapts to this new phase of his cricketing journey. His experience and skills will remain invaluable as India looks to build towards future tournaments, including the next ODI World Cup.
Rohit Sharma's retirement from Test cricket is not just a personal milestone but a pivotal moment for Indian cricket as it navigates the transition to a new leadership structure and prepares for upcoming challenges on the international stage.
