‘His career has been brilliant’ – Virender Sehwag makes huge statement on Rohit Sharma’s Test retirement

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has given his take on Rohit Sharma’s Test retirement. The 38-year-old posted a short message on his social media calling time on his Test career in the middle of the IPL 2025 season. Rohit also announced that he is set to continue playing the ODI format and is particularly targeting glory in the 2027 World Cup. 

Sehwag, who was recently speaking on Cricbuzz, said that he was taken aback by Rohit’s decision to retire from the Test format. The former India batting stalwart said, “It's amazing, because I had also heard those things – like how he was preparing for the England tour or during the Australia tour when he didn't play the last Test match, he was saying, 'I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here. Don't pretend like I've retired."

Rohit decided to retire from the Test format after a woeful tour of Australia where he failed to score. In the preceding home series against New Zealand, the right-handed batter has scored just a single fifty. The series against the Kiwis also stumbled to their whitewash in home series, which effectively ended hopes of reaching the WTC finals. 

Virender Sehwag lauds Rohit Sharma’s Test career

India’s former batting sensation, Virender Sehwag’s Test career mirrored Rohit Sharma’s. Both started as middle-order players before transitioning into an opener in the longest format. Speaking to Cricbuzz about Rohit’s retirement, Sehwag wondered if the 38-year-old changed his mind ahead of the England series. 

“But what might have happened during this time? What happened is probably this: when the selectors made their decision – maybe they thought, 'We won't announce Rohit Sharma as the Test captain,' or perhaps, 'We won't even take him as a player' for the England tour. I'm sure the selectors would have spoken to him, told him what they were thinking, and then offered him some options. That's why, before the team was announced – before anything else was made public – Rohit Sharma announced his retirement. That's a good sign," said Sehwag. 

India’s former batting star also added, “But he's made his decision, and that's fine. His career has been absolutely brilliant. He has no regrets. He started in the middle order and retired as an opener. His achievements are massive. So I'd say, "Thank you, Rohit, for your service, and all the best for the future."