Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricket team captain, officially announced his retirement from Test cricket through a heartfelt message on Instagram. In his post, he expressed gratitude for the chance to represent India in whites, calling it an honour and thanking fans for their support over the years.
While he will no longer play in the longest format of the game, he confirmed that he will continue to represent India in ODIs. The news came as an emotional moment for fans and his wife, Ritika Sajdeh, who shared a heart-broken reaction on social media. Rohit’s retirement brings an end to a Test career that started in 2013 against the West Indies.
He played 67 matches, scored 4,301 runs with 12 centuries and 18 fifties, and held an average of 40.57. His highest score of 212 came in a memorable series against South Africa in 2019. Though he had a promising start with a century on debut, Rohit faced challenges in establishing himself as a consistent performer, especially in overseas conditions.
Revival Through the World Test Championship
The turning point in Rohit Sharma’s Test career came with the launch of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). Promoted to the role of opener, he found consistency and success, particularly on Indian pitches. In 40 WTC matches, Rohit scored 2,716 runs at an average of 41.15, with nine centuries.
He became India’s highest scorer in the WTC and the tenth highest overall in the tournament’s history. His standout WTC moment came during the 2019 South Africa series, where he scored 532 runs in three matches at an average of 132.25, including three centuries and a double hundred.
As an opener, his home record was impressive with 2,535 runs in 34 Tests at an average of 51.73. However, he continued to struggle abroad, scoring fewer runs at lower averages, especially in the SENA countries. Still, he showed glimpses of brilliance, including a vital century during the 2021-22 Pataudi Trophy in England.
Captaincy and Final Phase of His Test Career
Rohit Sharma led the Indian Test team in 24 matches, winning 12 and losing 9. He captained the side to the final of the 2023 WTC, where they were defeated by Australia. Unfortunately, the last phase of his red-ball journey was marked by declining form and team struggles. In the 2024–25 season, Rohit managed just 164 runs in eight Tests.
India also lost crucial series during this time, including a historic home whitewash against New Zealand. Despite these challenges, Rohit’s journey in Test cricket is remembered for his transformation from a struggling middle-order batter to a dependable opener and leader. He now shifts focus fully to ODIs, where he remains a key figure for Team India.
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