Indian cricket team skipper Rohit Sharma has formally announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing an end to a major chapter in his career. The superstar batter made the announcement through his social media platforms, thanking fans, teammates, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
“Representing India in Test cricket has truly been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Rohit Sharma shared in his heartfelt message. “The journey has been marked by memorable highs, hard-fought battles, and an overwhelming sense of pride. After deep reflection, I’ve decided to step away from the longest format of the game. Although I’m bidding farewell to Test cricket, my commitment to representing India in One Day Internationals (ODIs) remains strong and ongoing. I’m deeply grateful for the unwavering love and support I’ve received from fans, teammates, and the cricketing fraternity throughout the years.”
Reflecting on Rohit Sharma’s Test Journey
Rohit Sharma made his Test debut in 2010, and over the course of 67 matches, he accumulated a remarkable total of 4,301 runs, consistently maintaining an impressive batting average of 40.57 in the longest format of the game. While recent form may not have reflected his true capabilities with the bat, Rohit’s red-ball journey has been nothing short of memorable. Known for his elegant stroke play and calm temperament, he carved out some remarkable innings that showcased his adaptability across conditions. From dominating spin attacks on subcontinental pitches to facing fiery pace in overseas conditions, Rohit built a Test career filled with significant milestones, including 12 centuries and 18 fifties. His move to the top of the batting order later in his career brought a fresh dynamic to India’s Test setup, where his consistency and flair as an opener became a crucial asset.
His finest innings were in October 2019 versus South Africa at Ranchi when he hammered a career-best 212 runs. Throughout his Test career, Rohit accumulated 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries, cementing himself as one of India’s modern batting greats.
Struggles in Recent Series Led to Decision
Rohit’s move follows a dismal year in Test cricket. His form in the 2024–25 season was poor, particularly in high-pressure series:
In the home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, India won both Tests against Bangladesh but suffered a 3–0 whitewash against New Zealand under Rohit’s leadership.
During the tour of Australia (Dec 2024 – Jan 2025), Rohit did not perform well at all, with an average of only 10.93 from eight Tests, reaching the fifty-run barrier only once.
India suffered a 3–1 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, a result that intensified scrutiny over Rohit Sharma’s position and performance within the Test squad.
Earlier Retirement from T20 Format
Before he retired from Tests, Rohit had already quit T20 Internationals after a record victory in the T20 World Cup 2024, where he took India to lift the prize trophy. His retirement from T20 was surprising to most people, but it opened the way for him to concentrate more on ODIs and Test cricket — until now.
What’s Next for Rohit Sharma?
Although his Test career has ended, Rohit Sharma is still dedicated to playing for India in ODIs. Earlier this year, India, under his captaincy, won the Champions Trophy, only demonstrating further how valuable he is as a white-ball player and captain.
As Rohit steps away from the red-ball format, he leaves behind a lasting legacy — a masterful opener, a composed and tactical leader, and a cricketer who consistently delivered when the stakes were high for his country.