The 38-year-old was India's most prolific Test batter in the second half of his career, scoring 4301 runs in 67 Tests with 12 hundreds and 18 half centuries at an average of 40.57
(L-R) Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (Pic: AFP)
Rohit Sharma on Wednesday announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect ending all speculations about his future in the longest format.
The 38-year-old was India's most prolific Test batter in the second half of his career, scoring 4301 runs in 67 Tests with 12 hundreds and 18 half centuries at an average of 40.57.
Having already retired from T20 Internationals after the World Cup last year, Rohit will now only be seen in the ODI format for India.
"Hello everyone, I would just like to share that I am retiring from Test cricket. It's been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites.
"Thank you for all the love and support over the years. I will continue to represent India in the ODI format," he posted on his Instagram story with a picture of his Test cap.
Rohit Sharma retirement: Captaincy conundrum! Who leads India next?
With Rohit’s sudden retirement from Test cricket, attention has swiftly turned to the question of who will take over the mantle of leadership for India in the longest format. Among the frontrunners, Jasprit Bumrah and Shubman Gill have emerged as the most likely candidates to succeed him.
Bumrah, India’s premier pace spearhead, has already experienced the pressures of Test captaincy. He led the national side in the rescheduled fifth Test against England at Edgbaston in 2022, becoming only the second fast bowler after Kapil Dev to captain India in the format.
He was also entrusted with leadership duties during the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, when Rohit was rested. His composed demeanour, tactical acumen, and seniority within the squad have positioned him as a strong candidate to take over the role full-time.
Meanwhile, Gill is being increasingly viewed as a key figure in India’s long-term leadership plans. At just 25, Gill has already made a name for himself with his consistent performances across all three formats. His maturity at the crease, coupled with his strong cricketing intellect, has not gone unnoticed by the selectors. Many see him as a natural choice for grooming into a future captain, although he may still be a few seasons away from assuming the responsibility fully.
Despite the speculation, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to make an official announcement regarding Rohit’s successor. With the highly anticipated England tour on the horizon and the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle intensifying, the decision on India’s new Test captain is expected imminently.
While Gill represents youthful promise and a long-term vision, Bumrah’s experience, temperament, and proven leadership in high-pressure situations could see him get the nod, at least in the immediate future.
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