NEW DELHI: Rohit Sharma on Wednesday announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect, putting an end to the persistent speculation surrounding his future in the longest format. His exit leaves India searching for a new leader ahead of the five-Test series against England starting June 20.Having already bid farewell to T20 Internationals after leading India to the World Cup title last year, the 38-year-old will now only be seen captaining the national team in the ODI format.Rohit ends his Test career as one of India’s most dependable batters in the latter half of his journey. He scored 4,301 runs in 67 Tests, including 12 centuries and 18 fifties, at an average of 40.57.“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,” Rohit posted on social media.“Thank you for all the love and support over the years. I will continue to represent India in the ODI format,” he added.In a recent interview with journalist Vimal Kumar, Rohit opened up about his journey and the doubts he once had about leading India.
“Haan mujhe laga aise. Kabhi kabhi hota hai sabko young captain chahiye hota hai. Jo 10 saal, 15 saal captaincy kare toh mujhe aise laga ki abb mujhe na mile. But I am forever grateful ki mujhe mauka mila [Yes, that’s what I felt. Sometimes everyone wants a young captain—someone who can lead for 10 to 15 years. So I thought maybe I won’t get the opportunity. But I’m forever grateful that I did],” Rohit said.
With Rohit stepping down, the BCCI will now need to appoint a new Test captain. Leading candidates include Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant. Bumrah, who previously led India in a couple of Tests during the tour of Australia, remains in the mix, although his ongoing fitness concerns may affect his chances.As things stand, Rahul and Gill appear to be the frontrunners, especially given Bumrah’s workload management.“Mujhe bhi pata hai mai 10 saal captaincy nahi kar sakta hun. But jo bhi time mujhe milega, I have to make the most of it. Kaise bhi karke I have to get the full potential out [I also know I can’t captain for 10 years. But whatever time I do get, I have to make the most of it. No matter what, I have to bring out my full potential],” he added.
Rohit did not travel to Australia for the first Test in Perth last year due to the birth of his second child. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul opened the innings in hi absence.Upon his return for the second Test, Rohit batted lower down the order before reclaiming the opener’s slot in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. He later dropped himself for the Sydney Test.India won the opening Test of that series under Bumrah’s captaincy but eventually lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Earlier, under Rohit’s captaincy, India also suffered a 0-3 whitewash in a home Test series against New Zealand.
