Rohit Sharma, one of India’s most loved cricketers, has announced his retirement from Test cricket. The news came directly from the man himself through an emotional Instagram story. In his message, Rohit thanked fans for their love and support throughout his journey in Test cricket. He also confirmed that he will still play in the One Day Internationals (ODIs).
Rohit’s Instagram Message
In his short but heartfelt post, Rohit wrote,
“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.”
End of a Remarkable Test Career
With this announcement, the 38-year-old has brought an end to all the recent speculation about his future in red-ball cricket. Many had questioned his place in the Test team, especially after a tough series in Australia during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Despite some recent struggles, Rohit had a solid Test career. He played 67 Test matches, scoring 4,301 runs. His record includes 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries, with an average of 40.57. He also captained India in some major Test series, including the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia.
A Leader and a Performer
Rohit’s journey in Test cricket wasn’t always smooth. For many years, he was known mostly for his success in limited-overs cricket. But when he started opening the batting in Tests, especially from 2019 onward, he showed everyone his true potential in the longest format.
He became a dependable batter and a steady leader. His calm and composed captaincy style helped guide India through some big matches and tournaments.
New Era for Indian Test Cricket
With Rohit stepping away, India will soon announce a new captain for their upcoming Test matches. The next big challenge will be the five-Test series in England. This will also be the beginning of a new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
According to reports, young batter Shubman Gill is likely to be the next Test captain. Sources have said that the selectors are planning for the future and are ready to give leadership to younger players. Along with Gill, other names like Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant are also being discussed as possible leaders.
Looking Ahead
Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Tests marks the end of a significant chapter in Indian cricket. He will be remembered not just for his runs, but also for his calm leadership and big match performances. While he won’t be seen in whites anymore, fans can still cheer for him in ODIs.
As India moves forward, it will be interesting to see who takes the team ahead in Test cricket and how they build on the foundation Rohit helped lay.
