Indian cricket legend Rohit Sharma has announced his retirement from Test cricket. The decision came suddenly during the ongoing IPL 2025 season leaving fans surprised.
Rohit had hoped to lead India in the upcoming five-match Test series against England. However, the selection committee had different plans. According to reports the selectors led by Ajit Agarkar informed the BCCI that Rohit would not continue as captain. They were looking to build a fresh squad and groom a new leader for the future.
Rohit’s recent form in red-ball cricket had raised concerns. In his last 11 Test innings he managed only 73 runs averaging just 6.63. His poor performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy led him to step down for the final Test in Sydney. Despite this Rohit had shown commitment by returning to domestic cricket and playing in the Ranji Trophy hoping to make a comeback.
Still, the selectors remained firm. They didn’t want a repeat of the mistakes made during past overseas tours. Their priority was team stability. They even considered keeping Rohit Sharma in the team only as a batter, so he could be dropped if needed without captaincy being an obstacle.
In a podcast with former Australian captain Michael Clarke, Rohit had expressed excitement about leading India in England. He was eager to work with pace stars like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj. But after talks with the selection panel and coaches, he decided to walk away from the longest format.
On Wednesday, Rohit posted on Instagram:
“Hello everyone, I just want to share that I am retiring from Test cricket. It’s been an absolute honour to represent India in whites. Thank you for all the love and support over the years.”
Soon after, Shubman Gill Rohit’s ODI deputy posted a heartfelt message.
“You’ve been an absolute inspiration. I’ve learned so much from you. Happy retirement, Cap!” he wrote.
Gill is now seen as the top candidate to become India’s next Test captain. The selectors are likely to finalize his name soon. If appointed, his first challenge as captain will be the England series starting June 20.
Rohit Sharma exit creates a gap at the top of the batting order. KL Rahul is likely to move up and open, which opens a middle-order slot. Several players are in contention for that spot.
Contenders to fill Sharma’s vacant place:
- Dhruv Jurel (24 years)
Jurel impressed during the unofficial Tests against Australia A. He made 80 and 68 in Melbourne. He played one Test on the tour, replacing Rohit in Perth, but didn’t score big. Still, the selectors back him as a future star. He is also a backup for Rishabh Pant. - Karun Nair (33 years)
Nair hasn’t played a Test since 2017. But he revived his career in domestic cricket. He moved to Vidarbha and scored 863 runs in the recent Ranji season, with four centuries. He also performed well in English county cricket for Northamptonshire. His experience and technique make him a strong candidate. - Sai Sudharsan (23 years)
A promising left-hand batter from Tamil Nadu, Sudharsan has shown consistency in domestic and IPL cricket. He has also played county cricket with Surrey. His calm temperament and ability to adapt make him a possible fit for the middle order. - Sarfaraz Khan (27 years)
Sarfaraz made his debut earlier in 2024 after strong domestic seasons. He scored a brilliant 150 against New Zealand but failed in later games. He missed the recent Australia tour due to injury. However, he remains on the selectors’ radar.
Rohit Sharma retirement marks the end of an era. He played 56 Tests scored over 3,900 runs and led India with pride. Now a new generation will take charge. The focus shifts to building a stable and strong squad for the future.
