In a move that has shocked Indian cricket fans, Rohit Sharma has officially retired from Test cricket. At 38, with over 4300 runs and 12 centuries in 67 matches, Rohit’s record is far from ordinary. Yet, his sudden decision to leave the longest format of the game has left many asking: Why now? Let’s break down the four key reasons behind Rohit’s exit—and the one 'mistake' that may have sealed his fate.

1. The Decline in Batting Form

Despite a glittering past, Rohit's batting slump in 2024 was hard to ignore. In 14 Test matches, his average dipped to 24.76, with only one half-century in 15 innings. Even more worrying, he failed to reach double digits in 10 of those innings. For a player of Rohit's caliber, this sharp decline was a red flag.

2. Failed Test Captaincy

Though Rohit led India to a Champions Trophy win, his Test captaincy fell flat. India endured back-to-back humiliations:

• A 0-3 clean sweep loss at home to New Zealand—a historic first.
• A 1-3 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.

The leadership failures, especially on home soil, intensified scrutiny.

3. Age & Fitness Factor

At 38, Rohit was already among the oldest players in the Test circuit. By the time the next World Test Championship final rolls around, he would be nearing 40. With fitness standards rising, the team management reportedly saw this as a growing liability.

4. Pressure from the New Generation

With Sai Sudharsan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and others performing consistently, the writing was on the wall. The next-gen stars were ready—and India needed to make room for them. Sources suggest selectors had already conveyed to Rohit that he was no longer part of the long-term Test plans.

The Big Mistake?
Rohit’s decision to continue leading in Tests despite fading form may have cost him his place. Instead of stepping down from captaincy and focusing purely on batting, he tried to shoulder both roles—and neither flourished.