Former coach Ravi Shastri suggested that India captain Rohit Sharma might retire from Test cricket soon. If selected for a farewell match, Shastri believes Rohit should play freely, as India aims to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and strengthen their chances for the World Test Championship 2025 final in Sydney.
Shastri’s comments followed India coach Gautam Gambhir’s statement, where he declined to confirm Rohit’s participation in the fifth Test against Australia, saying the team lineup would be revealed before the toss on Friday.
“If I were anywhere near Rohit Sharma, I’d tell him Just go and smash it. Go out there and have a blast,” Shastri said on The ICC Review. “Right now, playing the way he is, it’s not looking great. He needs to take the attack to the opposition and see what happens.”
Speculation about Indian captain Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket has grown after Gautam Gambhir’s pre-match press conference on Thursday. Rohit has struggled in the ongoing series against Australia, managing just 31 runs at an average of 6.2 across five innings.
The regular captain did not play in the first Test of the series in Perth, which India won. “He’ll take a call on his career, but I won’t be shocked if he retires because he’s not getting any younger,” Shastri said.
“There are young players waiting in the wings, like Shubman Gill, who averages over 40 in 2024. Seeing a player of that quality sitting on the bench makes you wonder. So I wouldn’t be surprised, but it’s ultimately his decision.
“If India qualifies for the World Test Championship Final, it’s a different story. Otherwise, this might be the right time for him to go out with a blaze of glory.”
Rohit Sharma retired from T20Is on a high note, leading India to World Cup victory in the West Indies in 2024. In his final three innings, he scored two half-centuries, cementing his legacy. While he remains a contender for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, his recent struggles in red-ball cricket have raised questions about his future in the format.
“I think he’s a bit late on the ball,” Shastri observed.
“His footwork, which was minimal even at his best, seems to have declined further. He’s often caught on the crease, neither forward nor back. When Rohit moves towards the ball with intent, the right signals are sent from his brain to his feet, and he performs better.
“He needs to play his natural game. Go out there, take the opposition on, and try to win the Test match. Losing one Test doesn’t mean the series is lost.”
The fifth and final Border Gavaskar Test begins on Friday, with Australia leading 2-1.
India must win the Sydney Test to keep their slim World Test Championship Final hopes alive and would also need Australia to avoid winning either of their two Tests in Sri Lanka to secure a spot at Lord’s in June.