New Delhi: Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma is reportedly set to announce his retirement from Test cricket after the fifth and final Test against Australia in Sydney in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Rohit has been facing the heat from all corners over his abysmal form with the bat and his poor captaincy.
Pressure further mounted on the Indian captain after Australia thrashed Indian by 184 runs in the 4th Test in Melbourne on Monday to go 2-1 up in the five-match series. The defeat not only spoiled India’s chances of winning their third consecutive Test series in Australia but it also pushed them on the brink of elimination from the race for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final.
As per a report in the Times of India, Rohit has already made up his mind regarding his retirement from Tests amid speculations that discussions have been held between the selectors and the BCCI top brass regarding the Indian skipper’s future in the longest format. Rohit is likely to quit Test cricket after the end of the Australia series.
However, he might seek an extension from the selectors if India manage to somehow qualify for the WTC 2023-25 final, the chances of which are slim. While retirement is reportedly inevitable, there are also questions regarding Rohit’s place in India’s playing XI amid his woeful form with the bat. The Indian skipper has batted in the middle order and as an opener and has failed miserably in both roles.
Rohit’s horror run against Australia
Rohit has endured a horror run in the ongoing Test series against Australia as he has managed to score only 31 runs in 5 Tests at an abysmal average of 6.20. Rohit skipped the series opener against the hosts in Perth due to the birth of his son before making his comeback in the second Test in Adelaide. He batted in the middle order in his first two matches but failed miserably.
Rohit was then slotted back into his original opening role in the 4th Test at the MCG as the Indian team management decided to push KL Rahul down to 3 despite his solid show as an opener. Shubman Gill, on the other hand, was dropped from the XI to make way for Rohit as an opener. However, the Indian skipper managed only 12 runs in the two innings, failing to make an impact at all.
While he has been a failure with the bat, Rohit has also had a disastrous series as a captain. His decision-making, bowling changes and fielding setups have been under the scanner throughout the series, highlighting his failure in marshalling his troops to perfection. India’s crushing defeat at the MCG was their 6th loss in Tests under Rohit in 2024.
Team India skipper Rohit Sharma is reportedly set to retire from Test cricket after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia. However, he might ask for an extension from the selectors if India qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
