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"Great Player, But...," Sourav Ganguly's Honest Take On Rohit Sharma's Retirement

Soumyajit Dutta

Sourav Ganguly and Rohit Sharma [Source: @auqibhabib]Sourav Ganguly and Rohit Sharma [Source: @auqibhabib]

Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Test cricket on Wednesday, May 7, marking the end of an illustrious chapter in his international career. The 38-year-old opener shared the decision via Instagram, expressing gratitude to fans while reflecting on his journey in the longest format.

Sourav Ganguly, former India captain and one of the most remarkable Test captains of India lauded Rohit's journey and his grit for the game. He wasn't a miser of words as he praised the ODI skipper.

Ganguly Praises The Skipper Beyond Test Stats

Sourav Ganguly lauded Sharma’s contributions, stating that he is a remarkable player for India and wished him good luck for the rest of his journey.

"He is a great player for India, but someone has to leave the game. My best wishes to him. He had a good career, he will play One Day for India and IPL... BCCI's work is to support the player. When I was part of BCCI, we thought he would be a great captain for India and so he was. We won World Cup, Champion's trophy, Test Cricket under him," Ganguly said to ANI.

Sharma’s early Test career (2013-18) saw fluctuating form, with 1,585 runs in 27 matches at 39.63. Though he recorded three centuries and 10 fifties, overseas struggles persisted. 

How Did Rohit Fare In Test Cricket?

Neutral venues added minimal impact – 122 runs in two Tests at 30.50. His technical evolution, however, shone during the 2021 England series, where his patient batting countered challenging conditions. 

Despite mixed fortunes abroad, Rohit Sharma’s legacy as a transformative white-ball leader and a resilient Test opener remains intact as he transitions to limited-overs cricket. 

While showcasing moments of brilliance, Sharma faced persistent challenges cementing his Test position, particularly overseas. Across 31 Tests in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia), he managed 1,644 runs at 31.01, with two centuries. 

His home dominance remained undisputed – 2,535 runs at 51.73 from 34 matches, including 10 hundreds. The 2021-22 England tour highlighted his adaptability, where he top-scored for India with 368 runs at 52.57, including his lone SENA century (127) at The Oval.