On May 7, announced he was quitting Test cricket. This meant he had played his last Test Down Under in late 2024. Having already quit T20Is last year, it left ODI cricket as the only format he was active in.
But the question that lingers in many minds is why did he do it? Many claim coach Gautam Gambhir had a hand in it but the real reason was still a mystery.
Why Did Rohit Sharma Quit Test Cricket?
Now, over three months since he retired, may have accidentally revealed the actual cause that made him take the call to quit the longest format. This happened while he was speaking at a CEAT event. He spoke on the grind and longevity of Test cricket and this may have been indirectly revealing exactly why he could not take it anymore.
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“Test cricket demands longevity. You’ve got to last five days. Mentally, it’s very challenging and draining as well,” he said.
“In Mumbai, even club matches go on for two or three days. We are brought up that way. It trains you from a young age to deal with long-form cricket and to respond to tough situations,” he added.
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“When I started out, it was all about enjoying the game. You don’t really understand the value of preparation. But with time – as you meet senior players and coaches – you begin to realise how essential it is. It’s what instills the discipline that cricket, especially Tests, demands,” he went on to say.
“A lot of your time goes into prepping before the game. Because once the match begins, it’s all about reaction – reacting to pressure, to game situations, to making the right calls with bat or ball. You can’t prepare during the match – you do it before, so you’re ready to respond when it matters. “When you’re aiming to perform at the highest level, you need mental clarity and freshness. Concentration becomes key. And that clarity only comes from preparation – that’s where it all starts. Whether it’s sport or life, preparation is key,” he concluded.
Rohit Sharma’s Journey in Test Cricket
Rohit was a late bloomer in Tests. He made his debut in 2013, six years after entering the 50-over and 20-over formats. He started off with a bang with centuries in the first two matches. But after that he hit a really bad patch. Rohit’s transformation happened in 2019 when he got the opening slot. Since then he began scoring at a whole new different level.
Rohit Sharma’s Impressive Numbers In Tests
In 67 Tests, Rohit has batted 116 times and been unbeaten on 10 occasions. He scored 4301 runs at an average of 40.58 with 12 100s and 18 50s. His highest score is 212. At 38, he is in the twilight of his international career, having been playing for India for 18 years. He’s already quit two of the three formats. It remains to be seen when he leaves ODIs and as a result, international cricket. He wants to be around till the 2027 ODI World Cup. Can he? Yes. Will he be able to? Only time will tell!