Rohit Sharma, who sat out the fifth and final Test against Australia earlier this year, has announced he will quit Test cricket with immediate effect, adding that he will continue to play in ODIs.
Rohit's decision, coming just a few days before the selectors sit down to pick the squad for the upcoming England tour, may seem abrupt coming in the middle of the Indian Premier League but the writing was already on the wall ever since the Sydney Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy series.
Hello everyone I would just like to share that I am retiring from Test cricket. Its 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’s decision means India will reach England for a five-match Test series starting on June 20 with a new permanent skipper with Jasprit Bumrah, who led India in two-Tests in Australia as the front runner.
Rohit had struggled in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, which India lost 3-1. He averaged just 6.20 in five innings and also dropped himself for the final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Before that, Rohit had a forgettable time in India’s 3-0 home series whitewash by New Zealand, averaging just 15.16.
It is apparent that Rohit has followed a cue from the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee, which has indicated the need for change since India's twin debacles against New Zealand and Australia.
Rohit ends his Test career which began with a century on debut against the West Indies in Kolkata in 2013 with 4,301 runs coming from 67 Tests at an average of 40.57, including 12 centuries and 18 fifties. Rohit led India in 24 Tests, winning 12 and losing nine games.
In June 2024, Rohit had retired from T20Is after India won the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup. With Rohit announcing retirement from Tests, Shubman Gill is the the other contender for captaincy.
Gill, 25, had been the vice-captain in white-ball formats. He is currently leading Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025.
