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Rohit Sharma Saw 'The Axe' Coming? Atherton Dissects Test Retirement Of India Captain

Soumyajit Dutta

Rohit Sharma [Source: @TUnlimitedd/X]Rohit Sharma [Source: @TUnlimitedd/X]

Rohit Sharma stunned the cricketing world by announcing his sudden retirement from Test cricket on Friday, following a prolonged slump in red-ball form. While Rohit didn't clarify his decision, critics and fans alike are fuelling speculations.

Former England captain Michael Atherton suggested Sharma’s decision may have been influenced by the BCCI’s rumoured plans to replace him as skipper ahead of India’s tour of England. 

In light of Atherton's analysis, under Sharma, India lost five of their last six Tests, compounding scrutiny over his form and tactical leadership. Despite retiring from Tests, Sharma is to continue playing ODIs, aiming to feature in the 2027 World Cup.

“Was that retirement completely his own decision, or did he get a sense that he's about to be pushed or the axe was coming because there was a report, the day before the announcement from Rohit, that the selectors had decided to move on. It’s a bad combination for any captain… India had lost 5 out of the last 6 matches under Rohit's captaincy… and his form had really tailed off,” Atherton remarked on Sky Sports. 

Atherton acknowledged Rohit Sharma’s ODI legacy but critiqued his Test career calling it not a 'stellar' one.

“He's going to go down as one of the greatest ODI openers… [but] a funny Test career… averaging just a tick over 40… means it's a successful record, but not quite a stellar record,” Atherton said.

Rohit's Struggles Before Retirement

The 37-year-old opener, who debuted in Tests in 2013, amassed 4,301 runs in 67 matches at an average of 40.57, including 12 centuries. Appointed Test captain in 2022, he led India to 12 wins in 24 matches but faced mounting pressure after recent series defeats against Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Australia. 

Sharma's struggles peaked during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he managed just 164 runs in eight innings, accelerating speculation about his leadership future.

Sharma’s retirement marks the end of an era for India’s Test setup, with the BCCI yet to announce his successor. The opener’s final act as captain saw India failing to claim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy amplifying calls for a leadership overhaul.