Former India coach Ravi Shastri suggests Rohit Sharma may retire from Tests after struggling

Ravi Shastri, former coach of the Indian cricket team, has suggested that Rohit Sharma could retire from Test cricket after a lacklustre series against Australia. The 37-year-old opener was notably absent from the media during the build-up to India’s fifth Test in Sydney, and Shastri, speaking on Fox Sports, predicted that the end of this Test could mark the end of Sharma’s red-ball career.

Sharma’s form has been a concern over the last few months, with the opener failing to score more than 10 runs in any of his five innings during the ongoing series. His struggles are compounded by his lack of significant contributions during India’s 3-0 home loss to New Zealand in October-November. As a result, Shastri believes it may be time for the captain to step aside.

“It still is a brave call for a captain to own up and say, ‘I’m prepared to take the bench in this game,’” said Shastri, reflecting on Sharma’s decision to rest for the fifth Test. He added, “If there was a home season coming up, he might’ve thought of carrying on, but I think he might just pull the plug at the end of this Test.”

Sharma, who retired from T20 internationals last year after leading India to a World Cup win, has yet to make an official announcement regarding his ODI career. However, Shastri’s comments follow increasing speculation that the opener might make this Test series his last.

India’s stand-in captain, Jasprit Bumrah, defended Sharma’s decision, stating that the move was made in the team’s best interest, demonstrating unity and a selfless approach. “Our captain has shown his leadership, he’s opted to rest in this game,” Bumrah said at the toss. “So that shows there’s a lot of unity in our team.”

Shastri’s comments also suggest that India has young, talented players waiting for their opportunity, and the time may be right to build for the future. “It’s not that India don’t have youngsters. There are very, very good players in the wings,” he noted.

Sharma’s potential retirement would add to the list of high-profile exits from the tour, with off-spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin already heading home after the third Test at the Gabba. Ashwin, who was not selected for the Brisbane Test, made his exit after what appeared to be the final straw in his long and successful career.

If Sharma does indeed retire, it would be a significant moment in Indian cricket, as he has been one of the most consistent players for India in recent years, both as a batsman and captain. His exit would leave a void in the Test team, but also open the door for a new generation of players to rise and establish themselves at the international level.