Reportedly echoing MS Dhoni’s unexpected departure during the 2014 Australia tour, Indian media said on Wednesday Rohit Sharma had intended to retire midway through the forthcoming five-match Test series in England.
A source claims that although the 38-year-old intended to say goodbye on foreign land during the series, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) denied his wish. Sharma’s decision to retire before the series was greatly influenced by this rejection.
“The selectors gave Sharma the opportunity to take part but not as captain; they wanted continuity throughout the series. He finally decided to retire instead, the article said.
Soon after Sharma’s choice, Virat Kohli retired from red-ball cricket, effectively ending an era and leaving Indian selectors with a major leadership void in the Test team.
Conversely, the BCCI choosing committee has allegedly started unofficial talks with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, possible successors to Sharma. Gill is thought to be a strong candidate for the Test captaincy even though no official statement has been issued yet.
Pant might play a vital supporting role as vice-captain and is generally agreed to be a future leader. On May 24, India’s official declaration of their team for the England Test series together with the new skipper is expected.
Beginning in Headingley in Leeds in June 20, the five-match series will start India’s campaign in the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. It will also be India’s first significant red-ball assignment since stars Sharma and Kohli retired from Test cricket.
