Rohit Sharma informs BCCI about his Test retirement decision
Published - 30 Dec 2024, 01:06 PM | Updated - 30 Dec 2024, 11:37 PM
Team India skipper Rohit Sharma has reportedly decided to retire from Test cricket, following underwhelming performances during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. There have been talks with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and selectors regarding Rohit Sharma's retirement.
The report from The Times of India comes after the Men in Blue's embarrassing 184-run defeat at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in the fourth Test on Monday, December 30. This loss extended the Indian team's winless streak under Rohit's captaincy to six Tests, including five losses and one draw.
Rohit Sharma to Retire from Red-Ball Cricket After Sydney Test?
The Times of India reported that Rohit Sharma has ‘made up his mind’ about retiring from Test cricket after the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. There have been discussions between Rohit, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) top officials, and selectors regarding his future in the team.
While he may try to convince them to let him play in the WTC Final if India qualifies, the chances seem slim, making the Sydney Test likely to be his farewell.
Team India suffered a 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand. However, they won the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test in Perth under vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah’s leadership before losing the next Tests in Adelaide and Melbourne. The third Test at the Gabba ended in a rain-affected draw.
The defeat in Melbourne was disappointing, as it was the heaviest loss of the series. India was asked to chase down 340 runs on the flattest track of the series. Rohit Sharma scored 9 runs before being dismissed in the chase. Only two players, Yashasvi Jaiswal (83) and Rishabh Pant (30), crossed double digits.
Very Difficult to Comment - Former India Captain Makes Huge Statement on Rohit Sharma's Future
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly expressed uncertainty about Rohit's future in international cricket. Ganguly refrained from making any predictions about Rohit's career was unsure where the skipper stood mentally at this point.
"Rohit Sharma is not able to score runs. He played a loose shot in the first innings. There is a second innings here in Melbourne and two more innings in Sydney so he needs to play well. India will need Rohit to fire," Ganguly told TV9 Bangla (via Hindustan Times).
"I don't know where Rohit is mentally. It is very difficult to comment right now," Ganguly added.
Rohit has scored just 31 runs across five innings in the BGT 2024-25. His struggles with the bat, coupled with some questionable captaincy decisions, have led to speculation that he may retire after the series. His Test average in 2024 has been in the mid-20s, with only two centuries and two half-centuries in 14 Tests.
