Has Rohit Sharma quietly retired from Test Cricket? Concerns GROW over his absence from Sydney Test

New Delhi: Rohit Sharma has opted out of the Sydney Test in the final match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. A victory is crucial for Team India to keep their hopes alive for the World Test Championship Final. His absence as skipper has raised questions among cricket fans about his retirement. A loss in Sydney would mark India’s first-ever failure to qualify for the WTC final since its inception.

In the series, Rohit Sharma managed only 31 runs across the three Tests he played. As a new cycle begins with the upcoming England tour, there is speculation that some senior players, including Rohit, may not be included in the team following the conclusion of the Australia series.

Despite being present on the bench, Rohit Sharma’s name was notably absent from the team sheet for the current match, fueling speculation about the future of his Test career. While Rohit remains in Australia and was seen observing the match from the dressing room, his exclusion from the playing XI hints at a potential change in his involvement in Test cricket moving forward.

As the captain of the ODI team, Rohit Sharma is set to lead India in the 2025 Champions Trophy. After retiring from T20Is, having led the team to victory in the 2024 World Cup, his future in Test cricket might only be clarified after the Champions Trophy or when the squad for the England series is announced by the selectors.

In the meantime, Jasprit Bumrah has taken on the role of leading Team India in the ongoing series. Initially appointed vice-captain in 2022, Bumrah made his captaincy debut in the one-off Test against England. Following a successful captaincy stint in the Perth Test, he is currently leading the team in Sydney, with no official vice-captain named for the ongoing match. Currently team India is trailing 2-1 in five test match series of The Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Sydney test is crucial to retain the BGT trophy and WTC final.