Speculations surrounding Rohit Sharma’s retirement have emerged following the 2023 World Cup, where it is believed that the 35-year-old Team India captain will step away from one or two formats to extend his career. The Indian cricket board is reportedly preparing for this eventuality, with KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya being seen as potential successors.
Rohit’s unsuccessful attempt to guide the Indian team to victory in the ICC World Test Championship Final (WTC) has also fueled discussions about his retirement. The 209-run loss against Australia in the WTC 2023 final marked the first time he experienced defeat as a captain in a major tournament.
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Fans are tweeting around the world for the Indian Captain to retire, meanwhile, according to a fan account on Twitter, it has been claimed that Rohit Sharma has announced his retirement from Test cricket after an illustrious span of seven years.
🇮🇳 Retirement from Test cricket. pic.twitter.com/CVBfBOba1F
— Rohit Sharma (@ImR0hitt45) June 11, 2023
Fact Check: Is Rohit Sharma Retiring from Test Cricket?
The claim circulating on Twitter regarding Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket is false. There is no credible evidence or official announcement by Sharma or BCCI to support this assertion. As of now, Rohit Sharma continues to be an active cricketer and a valuable member of the Indian cricket team across formats.
Claim: Rohit Sharma Retiring from Test Cricket
Claimed by: Twitter
Fact check by Columnist Asia: The claim is False
Fans Demand Rohit Sharma’s Retirement From Test Cricket!
When an experienced journalist like Samip Rajguru impulsively demands Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket, it sets a precedent for common people to follow suit. However, considering Rohit’s performance in the format over the past four years, it becomes evident that he has been one of India’s top batsmen.
Rohit Sharma should Retire from Test Cricket with immediate effect…. #RohitSharma
— Samip Rajguru (@samiprajguru) June 11, 2023
With 1,852 runs, six centuries, and four half-centuries in 38 Test innings from 2019-2023, the 36-year-old has displayed impressive numbers. Criticizing Rohit without acknowledging these statistics appears childish, and it is unrealistic to expect fans to respond sensibly when even prominent journalists make such remarks.
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Interestingly, many of the fans who are now calling for Rohit Sharma to step down as Test captain were the same ones who enthusiastically celebrated his appointment last year as Virat Kohli‘s replacement. Strangely, these so-called fans have become impatient with Rohit after just seven Test matches as captain. Out of these matches, the 36-year-old has led India to victory in four, suffered two defeats, and one ended in a draw.
Who could be the next Test Cricket captain?
As discussions about Rohit Sharma’s potential retirement from Test cricket captaincy gain traction, the question naturally arises regarding his potential successor. If Rohit were to step down from the captaincy, then who’s next for Test format?
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly holds reservations about appointing KL Rahul as the next Test captain, although he is considered the best option along with Rishabh Pant. However, with Pant expected to be sidelined for a significant period, KL Rahul appears to be the frontrunner for the Test captaincy.
BCCI plans to discuss Rohit Sharma’s future with him, along with Rahul Dravid and the selection committee, following the World Cup. Given Rohit’s age of 36 and his history of injuries, it seems unlikely that he will continue playing after the World Cup.
In the event of an Indian victory in the World Cup, Rohit may announce his retirement immediately. Jasprit Bumrah was another candidate for the Test captaincy, but his frequent injuries have created uncertainty. Moreover, Bumrah’s role as an all-format player and the selectors’ desire to avoid overburdening him with additional responsibilities have diminished his chances of assuming the Test captaincy role.
