After guiding India to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Indian Test Captain Rohit Sharma has now said goodbye to Test cricket.
The 38-year-old announced his retirement on May 7 through his Instagram story, bringing an end to a celebrated chapter in his international career. “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,” Rohit wrote, while clarifying that he will continue to represent India in the ODI format.
“Hitman” Retires From Test
The decision follows increasing speculation over Rohit’s place in the Indian Test side, particularly with the five-match series in England on the horizon. As reported by TOI earlier this week, the BCCI was already considering a change in leadership, and Rohit’s Test selection was no longer guaranteed.
The writing was on the wall during India’s recent tour of Australia, when Indian coach Gautam Gambhir dropped captain Rohit from the playing XI in the Sydney Test. This unusual move of dropping a sitting captain raised eyebrows across the cricketing world.
His recent Test form had been underwhelming, to say the least. In his last nine Tests, Rohit averaged just 10.93. During the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, he even opted to drop himself for the Sydney Test, saying, “I have to be honest to myself… I wasn’t hitting the ball well.” Australia went on to win that match and reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1.
This marks the second format Rohit has retired from in recent times. The veteran opener had earlier retired from T20Is after leading India to a title win in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, ending the nation’s 13-year drought in ICC tournaments.
Rohit Sharma Test Stats
Rohit made his Test debut in 2013 and went on to represent India in 67 matches, scoring 4,301 runs. His red-ball career includes 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries, with a career-best score of 212 against South Africa in 2019.
| Statistics | Figure |
|---|---|
| Matches | 67 |
| Runs | 4,301 |
| Batting Average | 40.6 |
| Centuries | 12 |
| Half-centuries | 18 |
| Highest Score | 212 vs South Africa (2019) |
| Test Captaincy | 24 matches |
| Wins as Captain | 12 |
| Losses as Captain | 9 |
| Test Debut | 2013 |
He maintained a respectable average of 40.6 throughout his Test career. Known for his elegant stroke play and impeccable timing, Rohit transformed from a middle-order batter to a reliable opener in the latter half of his career.
As a leader in the longest format, Rohit captained India in 24 Test matches, winning 12 and losing 9. Although he faced criticism for India’s performance during the recent tour of Australia, where India failed to qualify for the World Test Championship Final, he did guide the team to the final of the 2023 edition at The Oval.
The “Hitman,” as he is affectionately known by fans, may not have had the most prolific Test career compared to his white-ball exploits, but his ability to adapt and evolve his game to suit the longest format showed his versatility as a batter.
Rohit to Continue Leading ODI Side
While stepping away from the oldest format, Rohit confirmed that he will continue to be available for selection in One Day Internationals, where he remains a vital part of India’s setup. This decision will allow him to focus on his white-ball career, where he has achieved remarkable success both as a player and captain.
His recent captaincy triumphs include leading India to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where India defeated New Zealand by 4 wickets in the final in Dubai on March 9, 2025. Combined with the T20 World Cup victory in 2024, Rohit has cemented his legacy as one of India’s most successful limited-overs captains.
The decision to continue in ODIs suggests that Rohit has his eyes set on more silverware in the 50-over format, possibly including the next World Cup cycle.
Conclusion: Rohit Sharma Announced His Retirement from Test Format
The departure of Rohit from Test cricket marks the end of an era, as Indian cricket bids farewell to one of its most elegant stroke-makers in whites. While his Test numbers may not tell the complete story of his impact, his transition from a middle-order batter to an opener showed his adaptability and commitment to the team’s cause.
With the selectors now left with two options to choose between Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul after Rohit’s retirement, Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are the other two future options this Indian team could stand to gain. The next chapter of Indian Test cricket will unfold without Rohit at the helm, but his influence on the current generation of cricketers will be felt for years to come.
With his whites now hung up, Rohit’s legacy will continue in the shorter formats—where his leadership and batting remain invaluable. As Indian cricket transitions to a new test leadership, fans will cherish the memories of Rohit’s elegant cover drives, majestic pull shots, and the calm demeanor he brought to the crease in the longest format of the game.
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