India’s Test captain Rohit Sharma has announced his retirement from red-ball cricket, drawing the curtain on a career spanning 67 Tests. The 38-year-old, however, will continue to lead India in one-day internationals.

“It has been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites,” Rohit wrote on Instagram, sharing a photo of his Test cap. “Thank you for all the love and support over the years.”

Rohit’s decision follows Indian media reports suggesting he might be replaced ahead of the upcoming Test series in England.

Having taken over the Test captaincy from Virat Kohli in 2022, Rohit won 12 of his 24 matches as skipper, the second-best win ratio after Kohli. He guided India to the 2023 World Test Championship final, where they were defeated by Australia.

However, a dip in form and back-to-back series losses — including a 3-0 defeat to New Zealand at home and a 3-1 loss to Australia — placed his leadership under scrutiny. He was dropped for the final Test against Australia in Sydney after a prolonged lean spell.

Rohit ends his Test career with 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, including 12 centuries. His highest score, a commanding 212, came against South Africa in 2019. Since his last hundred in March 2024, he managed just one half-century in 15 innings.

Jasprit Bumrah is expected to play a key leadership role, having stood in during Rohit’s injury absences.

BCCI president Roger Binny praised Rohit’s legacy, calling him “a calming presence” and a “true leader” whose contribution went beyond numbers.

The five-Test series against England begins in Leeds on 20 June, marking the start of a new World Test Championship cycle.

Source: BCC

SMS/