Indian cricket star Rohit Sharma has announced his retirement from Test cricket, shortly after reports surfaced that the BCCI had decided to remove him as Test captain for the upcoming England tour. The decision marks the end of a significant era for Indian cricket.
Rohit, 38, confirmed his retirement from the longest format of the game on Monday. The timing of the announcement came just minutes after The Indian Express reported that the BCCI selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, had made the decision to relieve him of captaincy duties due to concerns over form and consistency.
Rohit Sharma Test Career at a Glance
Rohit Sharma played 67 Test matches for India, scoring 4301 runs at an average of 40.57. He registered 12 centuries and 18 fifties in a Test career that took off in its second half after years of fluctuating form and injuries. He made notable contributions at the top of the order, especially in home conditions.
Under his captaincy, India reached the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) against Australia. He also led the team in high-profile Test series against Australia and New Zealand. However, India’s recent performances in red-ball cricket under his leadership saw a decline.
Why the BCCI Removed Rohit Sharma as Test Captain
According to reports, the BCCI selectors are focusing on building a new leadership core for the upcoming Test cycle. Rohit’s recent struggles with the bat—averaging just 6.20 in the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy and 15.16 against New Zealand—have raised concerns. He even dropped himself for the final Test in Sydney due to poor form.
A BCCI source told The Indian Express:
“The selectors want a new leader for the England tour. Rohit doesn’t fit into the long-term plans due to his red-ball performance. The idea is to groom a young leader for the next Test cycle.”
The decision also comes after Rohit’s appearance on a podcast with former Australia captain Michael Clarke, where he expressed interest in continuing as India’s red-ball captain. Despite his willingness, selectors remained firm on their call.
What’s Next for Rohit Sharma?
Though Rohit has stepped down from Test cricket, he is expected to continue playing white-ball formats. He remains India’s captain in ODIs and could still play a role in T20s depending on fitness and form.
Rohit is also likely to travel with the Test squad to England as a specialist batter, though no official confirmation has been made yet.
Who Will Be India’s Next Test Captain?
Several names are being considered for the Test captaincy. Jasprit Bumrah, the current vice-captain, is the frontrunner. However, concerns about his fitness and workload as a fast bowler may complicate the decision.
Other possible candidates include:
- KL Rahul – The only one among the options with previous Test captaincy experience.
- Shubman Gill – A consistent performer and a long-term investment.
- Rishabh Pant – Set to return to the playing XI, with strong leadership potential.
The BCCI is expected to announce the new Test captain soon, ahead of the England tour.
Key Takeaways:
- Rohit Sharma retires from Test cricket after being removed as captain.
- Scored 4301 runs in 67 Tests with 12 hundreds.
- Poor red-ball form led to his removal.
- Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant are in contention for the next captain.
