Rohit Sharma Retires from Test Cricket: Ends Three-Year Tenure as India's Captain

Rohit Sharma has retired from Test cricket, ending a career that began in 2013 and included a three-year tenure as India's Test captain. Appointed in 2022 after Virat Kohli, he led India in 24 Tests with a 50% win rate. Despite recent struggles, including a home series whitewash, he guided India to the 2023 World Test Championship final. Rohit will continue as ODI captain and retired from T20 Internationals after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup. His retirement precedes India's 2025 England series, with BCCI planning a new captain due to his declining form.

A Decade in Whites: Rohit’s Test Journey

Rohit Sharma made his Test debut in 2013 against the West Indies, scoring 177 in his maiden innings. Despite a promising start, his red-ball career was marked by intermittent appearances until 2019, when he reinvented himself as a Test opener. From then on, he became a mainstay at the top of the order, eventually amassing 4,301 runs in 67 Tests at an average of 40.57, including 12 centuries and 18 fifties. His highest score, 212, came against South Africa in Ranchi in 2019.

Rohit’s Test career was characterized by a blend of elegance and resilience, particularly in home conditions. However, his form dipped significantly in the final phase of his career, managing just one half-century in his last 15 innings. His final Test appearance came during the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he opted out of the fifth Test due to poor form, handing over the reins to Jasprit Bumrah.

Captaincy Tenure: A Mixed Bag

Rohit took over the Test captaincy in 2022, stepping into the role after Virat Kohli’s resignation. Initially reluctant, he accepted the responsibility following encouragement from then BCCI President Sourav Ganguly. His captaincy began on a high note with a four-match winning streak, later extended to six in 2024. Under his leadership, India won five Test series and reached the final of the 2023 World Test Championship, where they lost to Australia.

However, the latter part of his tenure was marred by a sharp decline in team performance. India suffered a 3-0 whitewash at home against New Zealand in 2024—their first home series defeat in 12 years—and a 3-1 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. These setbacks contributed to India missing out on qualification for the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle opener.

Rohit’s overall record as Test captain stands at 24 matches, 12 wins, 9 losses, and 3 draws, giving him a win percentage of 50.00. This places him second only to Virat Kohli (58.82%) among Indian captains with a significant number of matches.

Retirement Decision and BCCI’s Direction

Rohit’s decision to retire from Test cricket came ahead of India’s five-match Test series in England, set to begin on June 20, 2025. Reports had already indicated that the BCCI selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, was planning to appoint a new captain for the series, citing Rohit’s declining red-ball form rather than a generational transition.

The BCCI confirmed Rohit’s retirement in an official statement, praising his contributions to Indian cricket and his leadership qualities. “Mr. Rohit Sharma’s impact on Indian cricket transcends records and statistics,” said BCCI President Roger Binny. “He brought a sense of calm and assurance to the team – both as a player and as a captain.”

Continued Role in ODIs

Despite stepping away from the longest format, Rohit remains an integral part of India’s white-ball setup. He continues to serve as the ODI captain and recently led India to victory in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. His ODI captaincy record is impressive, with 42 wins in 56 matches and a win percentage of 74.54.

Rohit had earlier announced his retirement from T20 Internationals after leading India to the 2024 T20 World Cup title, ending a 17-year wait for the trophy. His leadership in limited-overs cricket has been widely lauded for its tactical acumen and ability to inspire performances in high-pressure tournaments.

Legacy in Red-Ball Cricket

While Rohit’s Test captaincy ended on a disappointing note, his overall contribution to Indian Test cricket remains significant. He was instrumental in India’s historic Test series win in Australia in 2020–21 and played a key role in stabilizing the opening slot—a long-standing issue for the team. His ability to adapt and thrive in different conditions, particularly after transitioning to an opener, marked a turning point in his Test career.

Rohit’s retirement marks the end of an era for Indian Test cricket. As the team prepares for a new World Test Championship cycle, the focus now shifts to grooming a younger leader, with names like Shubman Gill reportedly under consideration.

Rohit Sharma Retires from Test Cricket: Ends Three-Year Tenure as India's Captain

Key Updates

Indian Cricket Star Rohit Sharma Retires from Test Cricket Before England Series, Impacting Team Leadership