Veteran Indian batter and captain Rohit Sharma officially announced his retirement from Test cricket on Wednesday, bringing an end to days of speculation and signaling a new chapter for the Indian team in the longest format of the game. The 38-year-old cricketer, who had earlier stepped away from T20 Internationals following India’s triumphant ICC T20 World Cup campaign in 2024, will now focus solely on One Day Internationals (ODIs), where he continues to lead the national team.
Rohit Sharma Bids Goodbye to Test Cricket
In a heartfelt message shared with fans and the cricketing world, Rohit said:
“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.”
This statement marked the official end of an illustrious Test career that spanned more than a decade. Rohit, known for his elegant strokeplay and tactical acumen, had become a cornerstone of India’s Test batting lineup and captained the side during some memorable campaigns. Under his leadership, India reached the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) and held a strong home record.
India’s Search for a New Red-Ball Captain Begins
With Rohit stepping down, the Indian cricket board is now faced with the immediate task of appointing a new Test captain. India is set to play a high-profile five-match Test series against England in the coming months, and the leadership vacuum needs to be addressed swiftly.
The frontrunners for the captaincy include KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah, and even the young Shubman Gill, who has been touted as a future leader. However, the BCCI has yet to make an official announcement, and deliberations are expected to continue over the next few weeks.
Former BCCI Official Questions the Retirement Narrative
While fans and players poured in their tributes to Rohit, a former BCCI official (who chose to remain unnamed) has voiced strong criticism of how the situation around Rohit’s retirement has been handled—especially by sections of the media. The ex-official questioned the narrative being spun, suggesting that the decision to retire might not have been entirely voluntary.
“Why is no one asking the right questions? Why did Rohit Sharma have to step away now, ahead of a major home series? Is this retirement truly his decision, or was he nudged out by the selectors?” the former official asked in an interview.
These pointed remarks have triggered a fresh debate around player autonomy, team transition planning, and the potential internal politics of Indian cricket administration.
Media’s Role Under Scrutiny
The ex-BCCI member further criticized the media for sensationalizing the retirement without seeking deeper context or accountability.
“The media conveniently accepts every official statement at face value. But those who follow Indian cricket closely know that things are rarely so simple. Why wasn’t there a farewell Test for Rohit? Why was the decision made so abruptly?”
The remarks seem to hint at a rift between the selection committee and senior players—an issue that has surfaced multiple times in the past when legends like MS Dhoni, Sourav Ganguly, and even Virender Sehwag exited the scene.
A Legendary Career in Whites
Despite the controversy, Rohit Sharma’s contribution to Indian Test cricket remains unquestionable. After an inconsistent start to his Test career, Rohit found a new lease of life when he was promoted to open the innings in 2019. Since then, he became one of the most reliable top-order batsmen in home conditions and adapted well to overseas challenges.
Some of his memorable Test performances include:
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A century in his first Test as an opener against South Africa in 2019.
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Leading India to a famous series win in Australia (2020–21).
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Crucial innings in England and at home against top teams like New Zealand and Australia.
He retires with over 5,000 Test runs and multiple centuries, making him one of India’s most complete all-format players.
Focus Now Shifts to ODIs
With his Test and T20I chapters closed, Rohit Sharma will now channel his efforts into leading the Indian ODI squad, especially with the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for 2025 and the next ODI World Cup cycle already underway.
The decision to continue in ODIs suggests that Rohit believes he still has more to contribute to Indian cricket and is perhaps eyeing one final ICC trophy before calling time on his entire international career.