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Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma announces his retirement from Test cricket, marking the end of an illustrious red-ball career. Read about his journey, achievements, and what’s next for the cricketing legend.
Rohit Sharma has announced his immediate retirement from Test cricket, leaving India in need of a new full-time captain just after the conclusion of IPL 2025. The timing is critical, as India is set to begin a five-Test series against England starting June 20 at Headingley.
Hello everyone,
After much thought, I’ve decided to retire from Test cricket. It has been an incredible honour to wear the whites and represent my country in the longest and most challenging format of the game.
I’m deeply grateful for all the love and support I’ve received throughout this journey.
While I bid farewell to Tests, I will continue to proudly represent India in the ODI format.
Thank you for standing by me over the years. The journey has been nothing short of unforgettable.”
— Rohit
Rohit Sharma retires from Test cricket with an impressive tally of 4,301 runs in 67 matches, maintaining a solid average of 40.57 despite a dip in recent form. Over the years, he registered 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries, with a career-best score of 212 against South Africa in Ranchi in October 2019.
Roger Binny, former India allrounder and current BCCI president, paid a heartfelt tribute to Rohit Sharma:
“Rohit Sharma’s contribution to Indian cricket goes far beyond numbers and achievements,” Binny stated. “He brought a rare sense of composure and dependability to the team, both as a player and as a captain. His calmness under pressure and his unwavering commitment to the team’s success over personal accolades made him truly exceptional. Indian cricket has been privileged to have someone like Rohit—an embodiment of professionalism and integrity. He leaves behind not just an outstanding legacy on the field, but also a culture of discipline, humility, and selflessness that will continue to guide and inspire future generations.
As recently as Tuesday, Gautam Gambhir, India’s head coach for all three international formats, addressed a question regarding the future of senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. He stated, “As long as they continue to perform, they should remain part of the team.
When it comes to deciding when to retire, that’s entirely up to you. No coach, selector, or even the BCCI can dictate that for you. If you’re still performing at a high level, why stop at 40? You can keep playing till 45 or even longer if you’re on top of your game.
Rohit’s decision comes in the wake of a challenging home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand late last year, followed by a dismal tour of Australia during December 2024 and January 2025.
He managed to pass 50 only once and ended with a disappointing average of 10.93 over eight Test matches. While India triumphed over Bangladesh in both Tests, Rohit’s leadership saw them lose 3-0 to New Zealand. Additionally, they were defeated 3-1 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia.
Rohit Sharma missed the first and last Tests during India’s tour of Australia. The first Test was missed because he was at home in India for the birth of his child, while the last one in Sydney saw him “standing down” due to poor batting form. At that time, he clarified that his decision was not related to retirement, stating that he was not “taking myself out of the game.” Jasprit Bumrah, who is currently India’s vice-captain, stepped in to lead the team in both the first and last Tests of the series during Rohit’s absence.
Rohit Sharma shared his perspective on his current form during a Test match, saying, “I missed out on this game because runs aren’t coming off my bat at the moment. But there’s no certainty that runs won’t come a few months down the line. Cricket is a game of constant change, where things can shift in a split second, a minute, or even a day.
I believe that things can change, and I have confidence in that, but I also know the importance of being realistic. Life doesn’t change just because of what people with a microphone, pen, or laptop say or write. They don’t get to decide when we should retire, when we should step aside, or when we should lead. I’m a sensible, mature man, a father of two, and I know exactly what I need in life.
After returning from Australia, Rohit played a one-off match for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy in January. This was part of a directive from the selectors, in coordination with the BCCI, which required contracted players to participate in domestic cricket. However, his batting struggles persisted, as he scored just 3 runs in the first innings and 28 in the second against Jammu & Kashmir.
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Even though the selectors chose to retain Rohit Sharma as India’s captain for the Champions Trophy, he was aware that performing well in the ICC event wouldn’t automatically secure his place in the Test format. With India winning the title in March, Rohit decided it was the right time to step away from Test cricket, bringing his Test career to a close.
With just over a month left before India’s five-Test tour of England starting June 20, the selectors are likely to finalize the Test squad soon. However, following Rohit’s retirement, the big decision for the Ajit Agarkar-led panel will be choosing the next captain for the Test side.
Bumrah is a viable option, but taking on such a responsibility may not be easy for a fast bowler, especially one who has recently returned from injury. He had a significant workload during India’s tour of Australia, where he was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his lower back. This injury forced him to miss the second innings of the final Test in Sydney. Subsequently, Bumrah missed the Champions Trophy and only returned to competitive cricket in April, playing for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. Given his history of injury, placing too much responsibility on him at this stage could be risky.
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