On May 7, 2025, Rohit Sharma, India’s red-ball captain and one of the country’s most accomplished batters, announced his retirement from Test cricket, just ahead of the India vs England series.
Having debuted in 2013 with back-to-back centuries, Rohit’s Test career was a journey of resilience and reinvention, marked by leadership and challenges.
Despite his wish to lead during IPL 2025, shifting priorities within the BCCI and a focus on grooming a younger captain for the 2025–27 WTC cycle led to this early and unexpected decision.
Career Highlight:
Test Debut & Early Promise (2013)
- Made his Test debut in 2013, scoring centuries in his first two Tests at home.
- Showed immense promise as a middle-order batsman.
Inconsistencies & Struggles
- Faced challenges in cementing his place in the middle order.
- Frequent injuries and form slumps led to limited appearances for several years.
Transformation as an Opener (Post-2019)
- In 2019, was promoted to the top order—a turning point in his Test career.
- Excelled as an opener, especially in home conditions, scoring big runs with elegant stroke play.
Captaincy Era (2022–2025)
- Took over Test captaincy in 2022 after Virat Kohli stepped down.
- Led India through series wins but also suffered major defeats, notably against New Zealand and Australia.
- His leadership was praised for stability, though questioned during away performances.
