Rohit Sharma Calls Time on Test Career

Rohit Sharma has announced his immediate retirement from Test cricket, prompting India to appoint a new full-time captain shortly after the conclusion of IPL 2025. 

The timing is crucial, with a five-Test series against England set to begin on June 20 at Headingley. Rohit Sharma brought his Test career to a close with 4,301 runs across 67 matches, averaging 40.57, a figure that reflects his overall consistency despite recent struggles. His red-ball journey featured 12 centuries and 18 fifties, highlighted by a top score of 212 against South Africa in Ranchi in October 2019.

The captain’s decision follows a disastrous tour of Australia in December 2024 and January 2025, during which he averaged 10.93 from eight Test innings and reached 50 only once, as well as a lackluster home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand late last year. Despite winning both Test matches against Bangladesh, India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia 3–1 after being swept 3–0 by New Zealand under Rohit's leadership.

Rohit decided to retire from his Test career despite leading India to a championship in March. With India’s five-Test tour of England set to begin on June 20, just over a month away, the selectors now face the task of appointing a new Test captain. 

It's expected that the selection of the Test team will be finalized in the coming weeks. While Bumrah is considered a potential candidate, appointing a fast bowler, particularly one recovering from a recent injury, could pose a challenging decision for the selectors.