This is the end of an era for Indian Test cricket. Rohit Sharma, one of the game's most elegant and calm batters, has formally retired from the longest version, lowering the curtains on a career lasting well over a decade. His announcement on social media comes in the wake of reports that he was being stripped of the captaincy of India's Tests before the tour of England.

In a sentimental message, Rohit wrote, "It's been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites." Although his red-ball career was marked by highs and lows, it also showed exemplary reinvention, especially in its latter half, where he proved to be a gritty opener and then a leader.

Rohit Sharma's Test Career as a Player

Rohit's Test career started in 2013, after a long wait after a freak injury on the morning of what would have been his debut in 2010. He made his real debut with a breathtaking century against the West Indies in Kolkata and then followed it up with another in Mumbai. But after that promising start, his career stagnated, with patchy form and position changing restricting his potential.

His metamorphosis arrived in 2019 when he was given the opportunity to open the innings. It turned out to be a watershed moment. Rohit accepted the challenge with breathtaking success, underscored by a magnificent 212 against South Africa at Ranchi and match-winning knocks in India's victories over England both home and away.

Can #RohitSharma𓃵 Be Called A Test Legend?

Matches: 67 | Runs: 4,301 | Avg: 41.35 | 100s: 12 | 50s: 18

A thread 🧵 pic.twitter.com/gLoi6JARkD

— Madhav Sharma (@HashTagCricket) May 7, 2025

Test Career Stats:

• Matches Played: 67
• Innings Batted: 116
• Total Runs Scored: 4,301
• Batting Average: 40.57
• Centuries/Half-Centuries: 12/18
• Highest Score: 212
• Fours/Sixes: 472/88
• Catches: 68

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Rohit Sharma's Test Captaincy Record

Rohit was given the captaincy mantle in 2022, taking over from Virat Kohli. High hopes were pinned on him, particularly after his captaincy of India's limited-overs resurgence. His captaincy stint as a Test skipper, though, was filled with promise and agony. He took India to the World Test Championship final and delivered a historic home victory over England.But 2024-25 saw both team and individual performances dip.

India lost their first home series in over a decade to New Zealand, and a 3-1 defeat in Australia followed. Rohit's performance also dipped seriously, and it resulted in him dropping himself out of the final Test in Sydney.

Captaincy Summary (2022–2024):

• Matches Led: 24
• Wins: 12
• Losses: 9
• Draws: 3
• Win Percentage: 50%
• Batting as Captain:
• Runs Scored: 1,254
• Batting Average: 30.58
• Centuries/Half-Centuries: 4/4

Home vs Away Record

• Home Matches: 16 (W: 10, L: 4, D: 2)
• Away Matches: 8 (W: 2, L: 5, D: 1)

Legacy and Final Bow

Rohit's Test career is remembered best for how he re-invented himself in the middle  from a mercurial middle-order asset to a steady top-order pillar and eventually a leader. Though his captaincy career ended in a cloud of bad form and performance, it's not fair to let the dusk mar the sunlight patches of his career.

He completes with 4,301 runs, with 12 hundreds and countless occasions that left supporters awestruck. From the masterclass at Chennai versus England to the counter-attacking stroke play at The Oval, Rohit's batting in top form was pure magic to watch.

While he will remain India's ODI representative, his Test exit creates a leadership void. With Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Shubman Gill all in the running, Indian Test cricket embarks on a new chapter one that Rohit scripted with dignity and passion.