India’s cricket captain Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Test cricket on Wednesday, May 7, bringing a distinguished red-ball career to a close after over a decade. The 38-year-old shared the news via an Instagram story, expressing gratitude for the support he received throughout his journey: “It has been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites. Thank you for all the love and support through the years. I will continue to represent India in ODI format.”
Rohit’s final appearance in Test cricket was during the fourth match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, a contest that ended in defeat for India. He was subsequently left out of the squad for the fifth Test, as India completed the series with a disappointing 1-3 loss.
Throughout his Test career, Rohit played 116 innings, amassing 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, which includes an impressive tally of 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries. Having been appointed as Test captain in 2022, he led India in 24 matches, securing 12 victories and suffering nine defeats.
Despite expectations that he would captain the team in the upcoming five-Test home series against England set for June and July, Rohit’s announcement came before the squad could be finalized, leaving fans and selectors to reevaluate their plans.
Rohit’s retirement follows a challenging period in red-ball cricket, where he experienced a notable decline in form during the 2024-25 season. Over 15 innings across eight Tests, he averaged a mere 10.93—the lowest among the top seven batters with at least 15 innings. Alarmingly, he recorded ten dismissals in single digits, the highest for any leading batter in a single season.
This marks the second significant format retirement for Rohit within a year. He stepped down from T20 Internationals in June 2024 after steering India to a narrow victory over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final.
Rohit Sharma’s exit from Test cricket marks the end of an era in red-ball cricket. Nevertheless, he will continue to play a vital role in India’s One Day International setup, where he has already established himself as a key figure.
His legacy in Tests, marked by notable achievements and crucial leadership moments, will be remembered as a significant chapter in Indian cricket history, as the team now looks toward new leadership for its future in the longer format of the game.
Original Source: https://www.guwahatiplus.com/india/rohit-sharma-announces-retirement-from-test-cricket-will-continue-in-odis
Category : India
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Publish Date: 2025-05-08 20:29:00
