Rohit Sharma has quietly drawn the curtain on his Test profession, however his story in Indian cricket is removed from over.
In what might be the ultimate chapter of a glittering profession, the batting stalwart is now absolutely focussed on the 50-over format and bringing glory to the nation within the 2027 ODI World Cup, his childhood coach Dinesh Lad has mentioned.
In photos: Rohit Sharma hangs his boots from Tests
Indian captain Rohit Sharma pronounces his retirement from Tests simply after the Sydney Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, on May 7, 2025. File
In June 2024, each Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli introduced their retirement from the Twenty20 internationals proper after the Indian crew lifted the Twenty20 World Cup after a niche of 17 years.
Rohit Sharma is seen with the top coach Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli throughout a apply session. Rohit Sharma’s dangerous type continued in Australia additionally as he failed to rating even a half-century within the three Tests he performed.
Captain Rohit Sharma is seen along with his successor in Tests Jasprit Bumrah. Despite Rohit Sharma’s absence within the first Test at Perth, Jasprit Bumrah led from the entrance to beat Australia.
Over his final 10 Test matches, Rohit Sharma scored a complete of 120 runs throughout 10 Test match innings, averaging 12.0, with a highest rating of 52. File
In the Twenty20 internationals, Rohit Sharma has performed 159 match scoring 4,231 runs at a median of 32.05 with 5 centuries to his credit score.
Having introduced his retirement from Tests and Twenty20 internationals, Rohit Sharma is anticipated to proceed taking part in One Day Internationals.
Rohit has performed 67 Tests, scored 4301 runs with a median of 40.57 and with 12 a whole lot to boot.
Having led Mumbai Indians to victory for 5 instances, the Twenty20 2024 World Cup win can be etched within the thoughts of Rohit Sharma. Team India defeated South Africa to carry the title after a niche of 17 years.
Rohit Sharma celebrates after scoring a century throughout the second Test towards West Indies at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 15, 2013. He made 177 in his debut match Eden Gardens. Interestingly within the Test, Ravichandran Ashwin scored an impressive 124.
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Sharma just lately added the Champions Trophy to his cupboard to go together with the T20 World Cup title India received below his captaincy final yr because the veteran emerged as one of the profitable skippers the nation has produced.
Lad feels Sharma would love to bow out on a excessive by profitable the ODI World Cup, which has eluded India since 2011 when the crew led by MS Dhoni lifted the trophy. “His [Rohit’s] aim is to win the 2027 ODI World Cup and then retire,” Lad instructed PTI Videos on Wednesday (May 7, 2025).
“His target was the World Test Championship, but unfortunately we didn’t qualify. Now, it’s the 2027 World Cup… I also want him to win the 2027 World Cup and then retire,” Lad added.
The 2027 Cricket World Cup is scheduled to be performed in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in October and November.
Sharma’s glittering ODI profession has seen him rating greater than 11,168 runs, together with 32 centuries and a highest rating of 264, making him one of the harmful 50-over batters in worldwide cricket.
A strategic shift
Lad mentioned the Test retirement by the legend was a strategic shift to extend his profession. “He didn’t take it [decision to retire from Tests] in a hurry. He didn’t want to play T20Is post the World Cup [last year in the Americas] but it was his decision to play the other two formats. He must have thought well about what is best for him,” mentioned Lad.
“This decision has nothing to do with the upcoming tour to England,” he added, when requested if Sharma wasn’t assured of main the facet for the five-match away sequence starting in June.
“The major thought would have been to give the next generation a chance, like he did just after the T20 World Cup last year,” mentioned Lad.
Lad additionally shared that Sharma’s Test debut knock towards the West Indies was his most memorable second. Sharma scored 177 runs towards the West Indies at Kolkata in 2013.
“It was his debut Test hundred against the West Indies… it was the moment he knew he had arrived. It is my favourite Test knock of his,” he mentioned.
With Sharma doubtlessly nearing the tip of his worldwide profession, discussions across the future management have already begun. Lad backed the likes of Shubman Gill and KL Rahul to take over the baton.
“I can’t say who will take what. It is the decision of the BCCI. But there are many who are ready for the captaincy. For example, Shubman Gill was made the vice-captain. KL Rahul is also a contender,” he added.
Published – May 08, 2025 12:42 pm IST
