Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, May 7: Rohit Sharma has announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing an end to his journey in the longest format of the game. The veteran cricketer made the announcement through an emotional message shared on his Instagram story, stating that he will continue to represent India in One Day Internationals (ODIs).

"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. Thank you for all the love and support over the years. I will continue to represent India in the ODI format," Rohit wrote.

The 38-year-old had already stepped away from T20 internationals after leading India to the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup. His decision to step down from Test cricket comes after speculation about his future in the format, particularly following India's underwhelming performance in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.

Over the course of his Test career, Rohit featured in 67 matches, scoring 4301 runs at an average of 40.57. His record includes 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries. He also led India to the World Test Championship final against Australia and captained the side through several key series, though his final few outings in Tests were marked by inconsistency.

With Rohit stepping away, India will now look to appoint a new Test captain ahead of the five-match Test series in England. According to sources, Shubman Gill is emerging as a leading contender for the role. Other potential candidates include Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant.

"Shubman Gill is being considered seriously for the captaincy. This is the start of a new World Test Championship cycle, and the selectors are likely to look forward rather than backward," a source told NDTV.

Rohit’s departure marks the end of an era for Indian Test cricket, and his contributions—especially as a dependable top-order batter and a leader—will be remembered as India transitions into a new phase.