Rohit Sharma is reportedly considering retirement from Test cricket, with plans to step away after the final match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Sydney if India fails to qualify for the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) Final. According to The Times of India, discussions within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the selection committee suggest uncertainty about Rohit’s place in the team. The report indicates that the Indian skipper may push to participate in the WTC Final should India secure a spot, but with slim chances of qualification, the Sydney Test is likely to mark his farewell.
This speculation arose following India’s humiliating 184-run defeat at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in the fourth Test, extending their winless streak to six matches under Rohit’s captaincy, which includes five losses and a draw. Earlier in the series, India faced a historic 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy began with a victory under vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah in Perth but saw subsequent defeats in Adelaide and Melbourne, along with a rain-affected draw in Brisbane.
The Melbourne Test was particularly painful for Rohit Sharma and the team. Despite playing on one of the series’ most batting-friendly pitches and fielding a deep lineup with three all-rounders, India faltered while chasing 340 in the final innings. Only two players managed to reach double digits, highlighting a collective batting failure.
India’s path to the WTC Final now hinges on winning the Sydney Test and relying on Australia to lose both of their upcoming Tests in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Australia needs just one win from their remaining three matches to secure a spot in the final.
On a personal level, this series has been challenging for Rohit. He managed just nine runs in his most recent innings, bringing his total to a mere 31 runs across five innings in the series. Remarkably, this is only one run more than the 30 wickets claimed by Jasprit Bumrah during the series.
