Mumbai: The end of an era. Indian skipper and modern-day batting legend Rohit Sharma has announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing down the curtain on a stellar journey in the purest format of the game.
Often hailed as the “Hitman” for his effortless stroke play and game-changing innings, Rohit’s Test career has been a story of patience, perseverance, and eventual domination.
The Debut That Almost Wasn’t
Back in 2010, a 22-year-old Rohit was primed to make his debut in the opening Test against South Africa in Nagpur. But fate had other plans — an ankle injury during warm-ups delayed his entry into the format.
Fast forward to November 2013, and the wait was finally over. Rohit made his much-anticipated debut against the West Indies at Eden Gardens, in what would also be Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell series. The young Mumbaikar announced his arrival with a masterful 177-run knock, laced with 23 boundaries and a six. He followed it up with an unbeaten 111 in the next match, bagging the Player of the Series in a fitting tribute to the Master Blaster.
From Middle Order to Opening Glory
The year 2019 marked a turning point, as Rohit was promoted to open in Tests during the South Africa series. And he didn’t just take the opportunity — he owned it.
In Visakhapatnam, he smashed 176 and 127 in the same match, setting the record for most sixes (13) in a Test. He capped off the series with a sensational 212 in Ranchi, cementing his place at the top of the order.
Home Hero, Away Warrior
Rohit’s brilliance wasn’t limited to home conditions. In the 2021 series against England, he emerged as India’s top run-getter, piling up 345 runs with a century and a half-century.
Later that year, he silenced critics of his overseas form with a match-winning 127 at The Oval, his first Test century outside India. It was a pivotal knock that helped India secure a memorable 157-run victory.
The Leader Takes Charge
Rohit’s leadership skills were on full display in 2022, when he captained India to a 2-0 sweep over Sri Lanka in his first Test series as captain.
He went on to script another memorable chapter in the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where his authoritative 120 in Nagpur — his first century as Test captain — set the tone for a resounding series win and India’s entry into yet another World Test Championship final.
Rohit Sharma’s Test Career in Numbers:
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Matches: 62
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Runs: 4,345
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Centuries: 10
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Fifties: 16
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Highest Score: 212
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Average: 45.6
As Rohit takes his final bow from red-ball cricket, fans, teammates, and the cricketing world alike will miss the class, the calm, and the charisma he brought to the longest format.
While the whites may now be behind him, the blue lives on — as Rohit continues to lead and inspire in ODIs and beyond.
Thank you for the memories, RO!
The Garden may be silent, but the echoes of your strokes will ring forever.
