Rohit Sharma retired from Test cricket in May 2025, and just like that, an era came to a close. He may have been a late bloomer in red-ball cricket, but once he found his groove, Rohit Sharma’s Test career turned into something truly memorable. As India Test captain, he steered the team through a tricky transition period with calm leadership and sharp decision-making. Not bad for someone who wasn’t even a regular opener at the start!
T20I ❌
Test ❌Rohit Sharma has retired from 2 formats in the last one year. 🇮🇳 😢 #RohitSharma | #TestCricket | #Hitman pic.twitter.com/fEabfMnXnm
— Indian Cricket Team (@incricketteam) May 8, 2025
Rohit Sharma Retired from Test Cricket
You might remember that Rohit had earlier announced his retirement from T20Is following India’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, ending that journey on a high. That news didn’t come as much of a shock—he had hinted at it after lifting the trophy. But this sudden Test exit? It’s more bittersweet than celebratory. The twist? He’s not done just yet. Rohit will continue to represent India in ODIs, and possibly even the 2027 ODI World Cup. So, while one chapter has closed, the story isn’t over just yet.
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Hitman’s Test Career：Late Start, Solid Impact
Though Rohit debuted in Tests in November 2013 with back-to-back centuries, it wasn’t until 2019 that he became a regular, thanks to his transformation as an opener. That period marked the resurgence of Rohit Sharma’s Test career, as he piled on runs in home conditions and found his rhythm overseas.
Thank you, Captain 🫡🫡
End of an era in whites!@ImRo45 bids adieu to Test cricket. He will continue to lead India in ODIs.
We are proud of you, Hitman 🫡🫡 pic.twitter.com/azlpZFWdhn
— BCCI (@BCCI) May 7, 2025
This late but effective resurgence added weight to his eventual role as the India Test captain in 2022. Rohit’s impact was particularly evident during the 2019 home series against South Africa, where he scored 529 runs with two centuries and a double hundred. It became a defining phase of Rohit Sharma’s Test career, silencing critics who had doubted his red-ball credentials.
A Captain in Transition
Appointed India Test captain following Virat Kohli’s resignation in early 2022, Rohit was seen as a calm, seasoned presence during a rebuilding period. Rohit was instrumental in preparing the next generation. Under his captaincy, players like Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj matured into key performers.
A leader who shaped a generation!
Thank you for your stride in whites, Rohit! #RohitSharma #19:29 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/ZNvsGCxR2z— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) May 7, 2025
His stint as India Test captain may not have featured a World Test Championship win, but it offered consistency and clarity. Despite challenges like player injuries and team rotation, Rohit Sharma’s Test career as a leader was marked by composure, clear communication, and a deep understanding of game situations.
Rohit Sharma’s Test Career Statistics
Throughout Rohit Sharma’s Test career, he played 67 Tests, scoring 4301 runs at an average of 40.57 with 12 centuries and 18 fifties. His tactical acumen as India Test captain also resulted in key bowling changes and field placements that turned games in India’s favor. One of his finest captaincy moments came during the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where India retained the trophy 2-1.
| Matches | Runs | HS | Avg | 100s | 50s |
| 67 | 4,301 | 212 | 40.57 | 12 | 18 |
Rohit Sharma’s Test Record as Captain
As a captain, Rohit Sharma led India in 24 Tests, winning 12 with a 50% overall win rate. His record at home was strong, winning 10 out of 16, but his away performance dipped with just 2 wins from 8 matches.
| Matches | Won | Lost | Draw | Win % |
| 24 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 50 % |
Home（India）
| Matches | Won | Lost | Draw | Win % |
| 16 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 62.5 % |
Away
| Matches | Won | Lost | Draw | Win % |
| 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 25 % |
Retirement and Legacy
When the news broke that Rohit Sharma retired from Test cricket, it came with mixed emotions. At 38, the decision allowed him to focus on ODIs and the IPL. Still, the impact of Rohit Sharma’s Test career—especially as a late-blooming opener and the steady India Test captain—will resonate in Indian cricket for years to come.
🚨 ROHIT SHARMA RETIRED FROM TEST CRICKET 🚨 pic.twitter.com/Yjtz8onaOr
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 7, 2025
His calm presence, technical mastery against spin, and sharp captaincy are benchmarks for those who follow. With Rohit stepping down, the question on every fan’s mind is: who’s next? India’s five-Test series in England begins June 20 at Headingley, and names such as Jasprit Bumrah, Shubman Gill, and KL Rahul have been at the forefront to replace him. Can one of them replicate Sharma’s legacy? That’s the thing to look out for now.
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