A Journey from Doubts to Dominance

On May 7, 2025, Rohit Sharma bowed out of Test cricket not with a press conference or big headlines, but with a quiet Instagram post-graceful, as ever. The timing wasn’t surprising. At 38 Rohit was battling age, form, and the weight of expectations. Even so, the announcement left Indian fans with heavy hearts. His journey as a Test opener was never smooth but always worth watching.

A Debut Worth Remembering

In November 2013, at Eden Gardens, Rohit made his Test debut against West Indies – a series that was more about Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell than the arrival of a new star. Yet Rohit seized the moment commanding 177 and followed it up with an unbeaten 111 in Mumbai. But things didn’t go smoothly after that.

But for the next six years, inconsistency, injuries and India’s balanced middle order kept Rohit out of the red-ball spotlight. From 2013-2019 he only played limited matches, many thoughts came up which said he would stay as a limited overs player only.

2019: A new Beginning as Opener

Everything changed in 2019, where he was asked to open the batting in a home Test series against South Africa at Vizag. It was tricky, but he made it work. That series became a turning point in his life, as he began scoring consistently for India-piling up 529 runs in just 3 Tests, including a double century (212). He became a regular Test opener, especially in Indian conditions.

Captaincy and Responsibilities

Rohit Sharma became Test captain in 2022 after Virat Kohli stepped down. He had a calm way of leading and always believing in young players backing them. Under him, India made it to the World Test Championship Final in 2023, but lost to Australia.

Off the field Rohit also grew as a person. He became a father and worked on causes like animal safety. His calm and steady personality helped the team during big changes.

Rohit Sharma’s Test Career in Numbers

Hard Time in Overseas Matches

Rohit was performing very well in Indian pitches, conditions but often struggled in home away games in countries like England, South Africa, and New Zealand. We all know it’s a bit difficult on foreign country pitches because it is made according to them and in India Rohit was familiar with the pitches. His average was very low in away from home matches, and he found it hard to face swing and bounce. In his last Test Series against Australia earlier this year, he didn’t really score much. It became clear that his time in Test would be coming to an end.

The Retirement Message

“I would just like to share that I am retiring from Test cricket. It’s been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites. Thank you for all the love and support over the years. I will continue to represent India in the ODI format.” Fans were somewhere expecting this but not yesterday.

Rohit might not have played 100 Tests or scored 10,000 runs. But his overall Test Career is special, because of the way he changed and grew. Rohit is a Legend. His Legacy has been great, People will surely miss him in red ball cricket. Few players can’t reinvent themselves at the age of 32. Rohit did that and became one of India’s best openers. His calm approach and clean stroke play made him a fan favorite. He proved that it’s never too late to start over and succeed.

What’s Next for Rohit Sharma?

He said he would be playing ODI’s, so that’s good news for everyone. He may also become a mentor or take leadership roles in cricket management in future. Rohit Sharma’s Test career teaches us many things: Patience pays off, Reinvention is possible. And quiet leadership can be just as powerful as aggressive energy. He made people believe that even if you start late, you can still make a big impact. He has become an inspiration and role model for many young upcoming players. As Rohit takes off the white jersey one last time, Indian fans will remember the stylish pull shots, his bubbly nature, and smiling captain who always led with hearts.

Written by Kinjal Valantra