In a move that reshapes Indian cricket’s red-ball future, Rohit Sharma has officially retired from Test cricket, ending all speculation about his long-term role in the format. The 38-year-old made the announcement on Instagram, stating it had been an “absolute honour” to wear the whites for India and confirmed he will now focus solely on ODIs.
The retirement comes amid major discussions within the BCCI, where sources say selectors had already reached a consensus to relieve Rohit of Test captaincy ahead of the upcoming England tour. A drop in form, paired with inconsistent performances as skipper, reportedly played a key role in the decision. Rohit’s Test average had dipped significantly in recent series, prompting concerns about his dual role as leader and batter.
With 67 Tests under his belt, Rohit ends his red-ball career with 4,301 runs, including 12 centuries and 18 fifties, averaging 40.57. Though he struggled in the early years, the latter half of his career saw him evolve into one of India’s most reliable Test batters, especially at home.
Sharma’s Leadership Termed as Phenomenal
His captaincy, however, ended on a turbulent note. Under his leadership, India faced a 3-0 loss to New Zealand at home and suffered a Border-Gavaskar Trophy defeat in Australia. His form plummeted during that series, averaging just 6.20 across five innings. In an unexpected move, Rohit even dropped himself for the final Test in Sydney following underwhelming performances in Melbourne and a brief return after missing the first Test for personal reasons.
Notably, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee had reportedly made the decision to move on from Rohit even before his announcement. Their rationale: India’s Test team needed a younger, more consistent leader for the next World Test Championship cycle. The selectors are believed to have briefed senior BCCI officials on their choice.
While Rohit had openly expressed his desire to captain in England during a podcast with Michael Clarke, the selection panel had other plans. Internal meetings in Mumbai finalised the vision to groom a fresh leader. “They want someone who’ll be around for the next few years and in top form. Rohit no longer fits that profile,” a BCCI source told The Indian Express.
Who will be the Next Vice-Captain?
With Rohit stepping down, attention turns to his potential successors. Vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah is a natural contender but workload concerns may hold him back. Alternatives include KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant—with Gill said to be the front-runner due to his age, form, and long-term potential.
Earlier in 2024, Rohit also retired from T20Is, following India’s run in the T20 World Cup, indicating a gradual wind-down of his international commitments. For now, however, he remains committed to ODI cricket, where he has long served as a dependable top-order presence.
His Instagram farewell read:
“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.”
Rohit Sharma’s departure from Test cricket marks the end of a significant era for Indian cricket—both as a batter and as a leader. His exit clears the way for India to usher in a new generation of red-ball stars, led by a fresh face at the helm.
