Raina, Ponting lead retirement wishes for Rohit Sharma: `You should be proud..`

One of Team India`s most established opening batsmen, Rohit Sharma, on Wednesday announced his retirement from Test cricket. Following the retirement, former cricketers including Suresh Raina, Wasim Jaffer and Ricky Ponting extended their love and respect to Rohit.

Former Team India all-rounder Suresh Raina said, “A true champion, an inspiring leader” on his official social media handle.

“Rohit Sharma`s legacy extends beyond the numbers. A true champion, an inspiring leader, and a passionate player who gave his all to the game. His impact on Indian cricket will be felt for years to come #RohitSharmaLegend,” posted Raina. Taking to X:

Rohit Sharma`s legacy extends beyond the numbers 🙏🏼. A true champion, an inspiring leader, and a passionate player who gave his all to the game. His impact on Indian cricket will be felt for years to come 💕 #RohitSharmaLegend pic.twitter.com/3RhPeJ9qSU

— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) May 8, 2025

Former Team India and domestic legend Wasim Jaffer hailed the Indian skipper by saying, “You should be proud of all you achieved in the whites”.

Also Read: In Photos: Who can fill in Rohit Sharma`s void in Test cricket?

“Rohit 2.0 in Test cricket was as good as it gets. Be it turning pitches in India or the swing and seam in England, he led from the front. You should be proud of all you achieved in the whites @ImRo45, congratulations on a wonderful career,” posted Jaffer. Taking to X:

Rohit 2.0 in Test cricket was as good as it gets. Be it turning pitches in India or the swing and seam in England, he led from the front. You should be proud of all you achieved in the whites @ImRo45, congratulations on a wonderful career 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/8Dev1kKFmW

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) May 7, 2025

In a video by Punjab Kings (PBKS), the franchise`s head coach Ricky Ponting, who played with a young Rohit as a part Mumbai Indians (MI), the batting icon said, “Well, Rohit Sharma, my great friend. We go back a long, long way to the days of the Mumbai Indians, getting to play alongside you and see you develop as a captain and leader. I just want to say congratulations on an unbelievable Test career. You should be very proud of everything you have achieved in Test match game and best of luck for your future.”

From our Shers to Hitman ❤️

Thank you Rohit Bhai itne saal hamein Tests mein woh karne ke liye… ENTERTAIN. 🫶#RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/LM0GTy76Po

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) May 7, 2025

Rohit Sharma on Wednesday took to his official social media handle to share his retirement news.

Debuting for India in 2013 against the West Indies, the right-hander has made 67 appearances in Test cricket. His Test career came to an end with 4,301 runs, including 12 tons and 18 half-centuries.

His career-best score of 212 runs came during the series against South Africa in 2019. Concluding his career, Rohit finished as India`s 16th highest run-scorer in the format.

He kick-started his Test journey with a memorable 177 against the West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata in 2013.

Despite immense promise and some great knocks, the `Hitman` initially struggled to solidify himself as a top-choice batter in the longer format, especially in tours away from home. From 2013-18, Rohit played just 27 Tests, scoring 1,585 runs at an average of 39.63, with three centuries and 10 fifties in 47 innings.

The right-hander has always struggled to garner runs in South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia (SENA) countries. Rohit`s best score has always been 151 runs in away conditions.

If a player scores well in SENA countries, then it is often considered a hallmark of a great Team India batsman.

Later, in 2019, by smashing two centuries against South Africa, Rohit revived his career as an opening batsman in the longest format of the game.

In 40 Tests during the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) history, he made 2,716 runs at an average of 41.15, with nine centuries and eight fifties. His best score was 212. He is India`s top run-getter, century maker in WTC history and overall at 10th among top run-getters. He led India to the final of the WTC against Australia in the UK in 2023, where they lost.

(With ANI Inputs)

This article first appeared on Mid Day