Rohit Sharma Retires from Test Cricket: A Glorious Era Ends in 2025
Rohit Gurunath Sharma, fondly known as the "Hitman," has bid farewell to Test cricket, marking the end of an illustrious career that has left an indelible mark on Indian cricket. Born on April 30, 1987, in Bansod, India, Rohit’s journey from a talented Mumbai teenager to one of India’s greatest batsmen and captains is a testament to his skill, perseverance, and leadership.
His retirement from Test cricket, announced after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in 2025, closes a chapter filled with remarkable achievements and unforgettable moments.
Records and Achievements:
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Test Cricket: In 67 Tests, Rohit amassed 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, including 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries. Notably, all 12 of his Test centuries contributed to Indian victories, a world record. He holds the second-most sixes for India in Tests (88) and once hit 13 sixes in a single Test match, showcasing his aggressive batting style.
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ODI Dominance: Rohit is the only player to score three double centuries in ODIs, with a record-breaking 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014, the highest individual score in the format. He has 11,168 runs in 273 ODIs at an average of 48.76, with 32 centuries, placing him third among Indian ODI century-makers behind Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.
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T20I Legacy: Retiring from T20Is after captaining India to the 2024 T20 World Cup title, Rohit is the format’s highest run-scorer with 4,231 runs in 159 matches, including a record five centuries (tied with Glenn Maxwell). He led India to 49 wins in 62 T20Is as captain.
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International Sixes: Rohit holds the record for the most sixes in international cricket (637), surpassing Chris Gayle’s tally in 2023.
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World Cup Heroics: He scored five centuries in the 2019 ODI World Cup, a record for a single tournament, and was the tournament’s top run-scorer. In the 2024 T20 World Cup, he finished as India’s highest scorer with 257 runs.
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Captaincy Triumphs: Rohit led India to the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy titles. As captain of Mumbai Indians, he won five IPL titles (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020), making him the joint-most successful IPL captain alongside MS Dhoni. He also secured two Asia Cup titles and a Champions League T20 trophy.
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Awards: Honored with the Arjuna Award (2015) and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (2020), India’s highest sporting honor. He was named ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year in 2019 and featured in the ICC ODI Team of the Year multiple times (2014, 2016–2019).
Farewell Message: Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket is bittersweet, but his legacy as a colossal batsman and inspirational leader endures. From his elegant strokeplay to his fearless captaincy, he has inspired millions. As he continues in ODIs, we thank you, Hitman, for the memories—your 264, your World Cup triumphs, and your unmatched six-hitting prowess. Here’s to celebrating a cricketing icon who redefined greatness!
Note: While Rohit has confirmed he will continue playing ODIs, speculation about his Test retirement has been reported, with an announcement expected post the Sydney Test in 2025, unless India qualifies for the World Test Championship final.
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