Rohit Sharma has announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing an end to a celebrated chapter in his international career. The 38-year-old made the announcement on Wednesday via his Instagram account, expressing gratitude to fans and reflecting on his journey in the longest format of the game.

The news comes shortly after reports emerged that the BCCI selectors were considering removing him as Test captain. While Sharma will no longer feature in Test matches, he has confirmed that he will continue to represent India in the ODI format. He had already retired from T20Is after leading India to the World Cup title last year.

Reactions to Sharma's Retirement

The announcement triggered an outpouring of emotions from his wife, Ritika Sajdeh, Mumbai Indians, teammates, and fans.

• Ritika Sajdeh: Ritika Sajdeh reacted to the news with a series of emotional emojis, including a broken heart, a salute, and teary eyes, on her Instagram story.
• Mumbai Indians: IPL franchises also acknowledged his contributions to the Indian team.
• Fans: Fans have paid tribute to Rohit Sharma, with many expressing their shock and sadness at his sudden retirement. Many fans took to social media to thank Sharma for his contributions to the Test team, which he led to the World Test Championship final in 2023. Some fans noted the growing pattern of legends disappearing without a final goodbye on the field.

Sharma's Test Career at a Glance

Rohit Sharma made his Test debut in 2013 and went on to represent India in 67 matches, scoring 4,301 runs. His Test career included 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries, with a career-best score of 212 against South Africa in 2019. Since his debut, he has been India's most prolific Test batter, averaging 40.57. He has represented India as a skipper in 24 Test matches, of which he won 12 and lost 9 games. He captained India to the World Test Championship final against Australia.

Reasons for Retirement

While Sharma's official statement did not explicitly state the reasons behind his decision, it follows reports that the selectors were considering a leadership change. Selectors' decision to move on from Rohit as captain was not driven by a need for transition or to cull out aging players but understood to be based on Rohit's performances and his form in red-ball cricket. The Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI senior selection committee had already decided to remove Rohit Sharma as India's Test captain for the upcoming England tour.

India's Next Test Captain

With Rohit Sharma stepping down, India will have a new Test captain for the upcoming five-match series in England. Possible candidates include Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant.