India captain Rohit Sharma has found himself at the center of retirement rumors following another disappointing outing in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia at Brisbane. Rohit managed just 10 runs off 27 deliveries before being dismissed by Pat Cummins in the opening half-hour of Day 4. His struggles with form continued, and an unusual act after his dismissal ignited speculation about his future in Test cricket.
The Dismissal That Raised Eyebrows
Batting at No. 6 for the third consecutive innings in the series, Rohit looked steady at the crease but failed to convert his start into a significant score. A fuller delivery from Cummins near the off-stump saw Rohit attempt a loose poke with minimal footwork. The edge carried safely to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, sending Rohit back to the pavilion. However, it was his gesture after the dismissal that caused a stir. As Rohit walked back, he placed his gloves in front of the dugout, just behind an advertisement board, leading fans to believe he might be hinting at retirement.
Fans Speculate End of Test Career
Social media was abuzz with reactions, as many fans interpreted the glove placement as a symbolic gesture signaling the end of Rohit’s Test career. The 37-year-old had previously announced his retirement from T20I cricket after leading India to a title win in the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Reports have also suggested that Rohit may step away from ODI cricket after next year’s Champions Trophy, where India is slated to play its matches in Dubai, with the rest of the tournament taking place in Pakistan.
A Challenging Year for Rohit Sharma
Rohit’s Test performances have been underwhelming in recent months. While he began the year strongly with two centuries against England in a home Test series, his form nosedived as India embarked on a packed Test schedule from September onward. Since then, Rohit has amassed only 152 runs in 13 innings, including a solitary half-century. His struggles were evident in home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, and his lean patch continued in the ongoing series against Australia, where he has managed just 19 runs in three innings.
Selectors Face Tough Decisions
With Rohit demoted to the middle order to accommodate KL Rahul as an opener, the veteran batter’s role in the team is under scrutiny. If he fails to find form in the remaining two Tests of the series, selectors may have to reconsider his place in the squad as India begins its next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle in July.
Whether Rohit Sharma’s gesture was a genuine hint at retirement or simply an emotional reaction to a poor run of form remains uncertain. However, his future in Test cricket will likely depend on how he performs in the remainder of the series.
