Was Rohit Sharma forced to retire from Test cricket? Michael Atherton sparks controversy!

Indian cricket sensation Rohit Sharma recently declared his retirement from Test cricket, eliciting mixed reactions from fans and pundits alike. His announcement, made public through Instagram on May 7, came on the eve of the announcement of India's team for the much-awaited Test series against England. While Rohit thanked supporters for their support and referred to it as an honor to play for India in whites, many, including former England skipper Michael Atherton, think there could have been more to the tale than a mere farewell.

Atherton, on Sky Sports, raised questions about whether Rohit's retirement was totally voluntary or whether he was feeling pressure from the selectors. A report on the day before had intimated that the selectors were thinking of moving away from Rohit, maybe even triggering his announcement. With India's recent failure in Test cricket under his leadership—six defeats in the previous eight matches—such a shift would not be unexpected. This featured a historic 0-3 whitewash at home to New Zealand and a 1-3 loss in Australia, where Rohit himself managed only 31 runs in three games.

Atherton added that the mix of below-par personal performances and team returns usually signals the end for captains. Rohit, who was 38 at the time, was beset by tremendous competition from India's younger talent base. His issues with the bat and increasing scrutiny made it increasingly hard to see him fit in the red-ball team, especially with the World Test Championship Final spot slipping through India's hands.

#cricketwitter

Michael Atherton speculates on Rohit Sharma’s Test career: ‘Was his retirement entirely his own choice, or did he have a sense that he was about to be pushed out?’https://t.co/rggHRYdj9Z

— Express Sports (@IExpressSports) May 10, 2025

Also read: "I’m done" Virat Kohli’s repeated words spark retirement rumours

Who Will Rule India Next?

Rohit's departure will see the BCCI announcing a new Test captain in the near future, and the probable choice is present vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah, although his workload would need to be monitored. Shubman Gill, at 25, can be regarded as a leader in the making and may be fast-tracked considering his maturity level and current performances.

Atherton admired Rohit's ODI success but described his Test career as "a tale of two halves." Although he scored more than 3,600 runs and 12 hundreds, his red-ball career never reached the standards of his white-ball career. Yet his contribution to Indian cricket cannot be disputed, and the weeks ahead will be instrumental in setting up the next chapter in India's Test journey.