Rohit Sharma Shocks Fans: Indian Captain Bids Farewell to Test Cricket Before England Tour

Hyderabad: Captain Rohit Sharma has made a surprising announcement: he is retiring from Test cricket immediately. This decision silences any speculation about his future in the longest format of the game.

Rohit, who previously retired from T20I cricket after leading India to their first ICC title in 12 years, will continue playing in ODIs. Just recently, he guided India to victory in the Champions Trophy, marking a significant comeback.

His last Test match was against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where India lost. Sadly, India ended up losing the series 1-3, and Rohit was dropped for the final game.

In his Instagram story, he shared, "Hello, everyone! I would just like to share that I am retiring from Test cricket. It has been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites. Thank you for all the love and support through the years. I will continue to represent India in ODI format."

During his Test career, Rohit scored 4,301 runs in 116 innings, averaging 40.57 with 12 centuries and 18 fifties. He became India’s top Test batter in the latter part of his career, demonstrating consistent performance in 67 matches.

Despite this, his recent form has been troubling. In 2024, he averaged only 10.93 in 15 innings, the lowest among any top-seven batsman. This was underscored by his high number of single-digit dismissals, which hit 10 in those 15 innings—another record for a top player in a season.

Rohit captained India in 24 Tests, achieving 12 victories and 9 losses. In June 2024, after India’s win over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final, he announced his retirement from T20s as well.

With Rohit’s departure, India will now seek a new Test captain for the upcoming five-match series in England. Potential candidates include Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant. However, concerns about Bumrah’s fitness may prompt the team to consider other options.

As Rohit steps back, his contributions to Indian cricket are undeniable. Fans and experts alike will be curious to see who takes up the mantle and how this transition unfolds.

For more updates on cricket and player news, check trusted sources like ESPN Cricinfo or the official BCCI website.

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