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May 8, 2025 - Mumbai, India:
Shortly after rumors circulated that he would be relieved of his duties prior to the England series, India's Test skipper, Rohit Sharma, formally announced his retirement from the game's longest format. By confirming the news on Instagram, the 38-year-old said he would still play One-Day Internationals.
"It's been an honour to represent my country in whites"
Sharma shared an emotional farewell with fans, writing:
"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."
His decision follows increasing scrutiny over his Test performances and leadership, particularly after a string of disappointing series results.
Poor Form Sparked Selection Debate
In June, when a new World Test Championship cycle began, the Indian selectors had already decided to choose a new captain for the five-Test England tour, according to The Indian Express. A senior BCCI official was quoted saying:
"The selectors' thought process is clear. They want a new leader for the England tour and Rohit doesn't fit in as a captain, especially considering his red-ball form. They want to groom a young leader for the next Test cycle."
Sharma's recent Test numbers reflect his struggle:
vs Bangladesh: 2 matches, average 10.50
vs New Zealand: 3 matches, average 15.16 (India lost series 3-0)
vs Australia: 3 matches, average 6.20
He dropped himself for the final Test of the Australia series.
Career Highlights and Leadership Challenges
Rohit quits with 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57 in 67 Test matches, including 12 hundreds and 18 fifties. But over the past year, his form has drastically declined; in his previous eight games, he has averaged just 10.93.
After Virat Kohli resigned as Test captain in 2022,Rohit led India in 24 games, winning half of them. Despite early promise, a series of surprising defeats marred his tenure, including a 3-1 loss in Australia, a historic home loss to Bangladesh, and a whitewash against New Zealand.
Shubman Gill Likely to Take the Helm
While Jasprit Bumrah briefly captained in Rohit's absence, 25-year-old Shubman Gill is reportedly the frontrunner to become India's long-term Test captain. With India set to face England in a high-stakes series next month, a formal announcement is expected after the IPL.
End of an Era
Along with fellow veterans Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, Rohit had previously announced his retirement from T20 internationals last year after leading India to a T20 World Cup success. For Indian cricket, his exit from Test cricket currently represents a significant generational change.
