Rohit Sharma’s sudden retirement from Test cricket on May 7 sent shockwaves through Indian cricket. While fans were still digesting the news, a fresh report has revealed that the 38-year-old had originally planned to bid farewell to red-ball cricket midway through India’s upcoming five-Test tour of England, set to begin on June 20.
However, the selectors’ decision to prioritise stable leadership forced Rohit to bring the curtains down earlier than expected. The Indian skipper, who led the team in all formats since February 2022, finishes his Test career with 4,301 runs in 67 matches at an average of 40.57. He had already stepped away from T20Is after India’s 2024 World Cup win, with Suryakumar Yadav taking over.
Now, Rohit Sharma will continue to serve Indian cricket in ODIs, but his Test journey has come to an end—just five days before his long-time teammate Virat Kohli also walked away from the format.
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According to Sky Sports, Rohit had hoped to emulate MS Dhoni’s 2014 exit from Test cricket, handing over the reins mid-series. But selectors reportedly told him he could stay as a player, not as captain. Unwilling to go down that path, Rohit opted for immediate retirement.
Rohit Sharma wanted to play England test series but as a Captain.
Earlier selectors informed him that we are looking for a new Captain who can lead for longer period..Rohit Sharma felt bad that being such a big player, how could he play under the captaincy of any junior?… pic.twitter.com/p8ALYZrA1D
— Satya Prakash (@_SatyaPrakash08) May 20, 2025
The move now leaves India in a leadership dilemma. While Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, and Shubman Gill were the frontrunners, Bumrah has ruled himself out of the captaincy race due to uncertainty over playing all five Tests. Gill, despite his promise, hasn’t cemented his Test spot yet.
With a modest overseas average of 27.53 from 32 matches, some selectors believe the vice-captaincy would suit the 25-year-old for now. Pant, on the other hand, remains a strong candidate. The southpaw has scored 2,948 runs in 43 Tests at an average of 42.11, with centuries in Australia, England, and South Africa, showcasing his ability to deliver on challenging foreign soil.
