Rohit Sharma Retires from Test Cricket: Stats, Stories & Sachin's Tribute

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Rohit Sharma Bids Goodbye to Test Cricket: A Tribute to the Hitman’s Red-Ball Journey “The End of an Era… But Not the Legacy”


In a heartfelt and unexpected move, Rohit Sharma—the ‘Hitman’ of Indian cricket—announced his retirement from Test cricket. While fans were still admiring his commanding presence in recent matches, the news came like a whisper of nostalgia.

 

But don't worry—this isn’t a goodbye to Rohit entirely.

It's just Test cricket. Rohit's story continues—on the fields of ODIs, T20Is, and the IPL.

Let’s walk through his glorious red-ball career, stats, turning points, and emotional farewells—with one of the warmest tributes coming straight from Sachin Tendulkar himself.

 Rohit Sharma’s Test Journey – A Quick Look

 Debut to Farewell:

  • Test Debut: November 6, 2013, vs West Indies at Eden Gardens

  • Test Matches Played: 59

  • Innings: 101

  • Runs Scored: 3677

  • Batting Average: 45.18

  • Centuries: 10

  • Half-centuries: 16

  • Highest Score: 212

  • Catches: 53

  • As Captain in Tests: 10 matches | 5 Wins, 4 Losses, 1 Draw

 The Stats That Speak Louder

  • 💯 Rohit is only the second Indian after Rahul Dravid to score twin centuries on debut at home.

  • 🧱 At home, his average was above 70, making him one of the most reliable openers in Indian conditions.

  • 🚀 As a Test opener since 2019, Rohit scored 2000+ runs at an average of 54+, including two double hundreds.

 A Career That Wasn’t Always Rosy

  • Injuries, inconsistency, and delayed debut — Rohit had his fair share of struggles.

  • For years, he was labeled as a "limited-overs specialist".

  • Many questioned if he would ever crack the Test format.

Yet in 2019, everything changed.

 Reinvention as a Test Opener

  • In 2019 vs South Africa, he was promoted to open the innings—a masterstroke.

  • Rohit scored 176 and 127 in that very first series as an opener.

  • Since then, he became India’s most consistent opener in Tests.

“Opening in Tests was a challenge. But I wanted to take that challenge head-on,” Rohit once said.

 His Captaincy Era: Short But Solid

  • Rohit took over the Test captaincy post-Kohli in 2022.

  • Led India in tough away series vs England and Australia.

  • Most memorable moment: Leading India into the WTC Final 2023.

 What Made Rohit Sharma a Unique Test Player?

  • Calm under pressure — rarely flustered by tough situations.

  • Sound technique — particularly strong on the pull shot and off the back foot.

  • Maturity — he knew when to attack and when to defend.

  • Mentorship — known for guiding youngsters like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

 Real Moments We’ll Never Forget

 Debut Magic at Eden Gardens

  • Rohit’s debut Test saw him score 177 runs.

  • Came right after Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell series started — poetic in many ways.

 The Ranchi Double Century

  • Rohit scored 212 vs South Africa in Ranchi (2019).

  • One of the most stylish Test innings by any Indian in the last decade.

 Dominance in England Tour

  • In 2021, Rohit’s 127 at The Oval was called “a masterclass on foreign soil”.

 The Master’s Tribute: Sachin's Emotional Tweet

Here’s what Sachin Tendulkar posted on Twitter after Rohit’s Test retirement:

 The Next Chapter: Making Room for the Next Gen

Rohit’s retirement isn't just about him stepping away—it's also about mentoring.

  • Young stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Sarfaraz Khan are stepping up.

  • Rohit will continue to guide India in white-ball formats.

  • Think of it as a graceful handover, not a goodbye.

 The Happy Ending: Rohit’s Magic Isn’t Over

Rohit Sharma has stepped away from the red ball, but:

  • ✅ He’s still going strong in IPL

  • ✅ He’s a key pillar for the T20 World Cup 2026

  • ✅ His leadership will continue shaping Indian cricket

“I’ve always believed in timing—on and off the field. This feels like the right time,” Rohit said in his retirement note.

❤️ A Note From Every Indian Fan:

Dear Rohit,

Thank you for:

  • The 177 on debut

  • The patience during injuries

  • The elegance of those straight drives

  • The fearless pulls that made Test matches feel like T20s

  • The silent leadership

We’ll miss your whites, but we know your blue magic is far from over.

Let us know:
🔹 What’s your favorite Rohit Test moment?
🔹 Do you think he’ll return someday for one last dance?

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Location: India

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