End of Rohit's Test career? Shastri, Gavaskar believe MCG was his last Test

Sunil Gavaskar said: "I think it probably means that if India don't qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, the Melbourne Test will be Rohit Sharma's last game."

Rohit Sharma's 67-match Test career has seen the curtains!! This is not the 38-year-old Indian captain announced but felt by two cricket legends - Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri, after the he opted out of Sydney Test match against Australia on Friday during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.  A selfless call or a silent exit?

 

Gavaskar and Shastri suggest this could mark the end of Rohit’s illustrious but tumultuous Test career.

 

At 38, Rohit’s decision comes amidst a lean patch with the bat, scoring just 31 runs across five innings in the series. Speaking during the first day’s lunch break, Gavaskar shared his candid perspective: 

 

"I think it probably means that if India don’t qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, the Melbourne Test will be Rohit Sharma’s last game. The selectors would likely look ahead to someone who can be part of the 2027 final cycle."  Check India vs Australia 5th Test Day 1 as it happened here

 

Rohit Shrma Test career summary
	Span	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	BF	SR	100s	50s	0s	4s	6s
overview	2013-2024	67	116	10	4301	212	40.57	7538	57.05	12	18	6	473	88

  Shastri: A brave but telling move

 

Ravi Shastri echoed this sentiment, lauding Rohit’s courage while hinting at the finality of his decision. 

"He said the team would be stronger with Shubman Gill playing. It’s a brave call for a captain to own up and step aside. When you’re out of form and mentally struggling, sometimes stepping away is the best thing you can do for the team," Shastri remarked during commentary.

 

Shastri further speculated that Rohit might conclude his Test journey after this series: 

"If there was a home season coming up, he might have carried on. But with his age and the depth of young talent waiting, it seems time to pass the torch." 

Rohit Sharma runs against Test playing nations
Host countries	Span	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	BF	SR	100s	50s	0s	4s	6s
vs Australia	2014-2024	15	27	1	739	120	28.42	1467	50.37	1	3	1	76	16
vs Bangladesh	2015-2024	5	7	0	75	23	10.71	102	73.52	0	0	0	8	4
vs England	2014-2024	14	26	2	1147	161	47.79	2173	52.78	4	4	0	136	16
vs New Zealand	2014-2024	9	17	3	515	82	36.78	928	55.49	0	5	2	59	7
vs South Africa	2013-2024	11	20	1	738	212	38.84	1143	64.56	3	0	3	86	22
vs Sri Lanka	2015-2022	7	12	2	509	102*	50.9	807	63.07	1	4	0	47	9
vs West Indies	2013-2023	6	7	1	578	177	96.33	918	62.96	3	2	0	61	14

 

 Struggles and stakes 

Rohit’s recent performances have been underwhelming, breaching the 20-run mark only twice in his last eight matches. India, trailing 1-2 in the series, face the immense pressure of winning the final Test to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and secure a spot in the WTC final.

 

Should India fail to qualify, their next Test series will be a challenging tour of England in mid-June, likely ushering in a new era of leadership.   

 

Criticism of BCCI and lack of clarity from the Indian board

 

Not everyone was convinced by the narrative of a selfless act. Former Australia captain Mark Taylor criticised the ambiguity surrounding Rohit’s absence, asserting: 

"A captain doesn’t opt out of a series-deciding Test. It’s clear he’s been dropped due to form, and there’s no shame in that. This is professional sport."

 

Closer to home, Sanjay Manjrekar praised Rohit’s team-first mindset but expressed frustration at the lack of transparency: 

"So typical of Rohit Sharma—always doing what’s best for the team. But the cloak-and-dagger approach around this decision was unnecessary." 

Rohit Sharma runs in different countries
	Span	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	BF	SR	100s	50s	0s	4s	6s
in Australia	2014-2024	10	19	1	439	63*	24.38	966	45.44	0	3	1	41	10
in Bangladesh	2015-2015	1	1	0	6	6	6	9	66.66	0	0	0	1	0
in England	2014-2023	7	14	1	524	127	40.3	1190	44.03	1	2	0	62	5
in India	2013-2024	34	55	6	2535	212	51.73	3854	65.77	10	8	2	289	55
in New Zealand	2014-2014	2	4	1	122	72	40.66	279	43.72	0	1	1	14	1
in South Africa	2013-2024	6	12	1	183	47	16.63	386	47.4	0	0	2	23	2
in Sri Lanka	2015-2015	3	6	0	202	79	33.66	364	55.49	0	2	0	16	5
in West Indies	2016-2023	4	5	0	290	103	58	490	59.18	1	2	0	27	10

 

The curtain call?

 

After India’s Boxing Day loss, Rohit had candidly admitted that his poor form had been mentally taxing:

  "It’s frustrating when you can’t do what you’ve come to do."   

Rohit Sharma runs: Home vs Away
	Span	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	BF	SR	100s	50s	0s	4s	6s
home	2013-2024	34	55	6	2535	212	51.73	3854	65.77	10	8	2	289	55
away	2013-2024	31	57	4	1644	127	31.01	3449	47.66	2	10	4	167	32
neutral	2021-2023	2	4	0	122	43	30.5	235	51.91	0	0	0	17	1