On May 7, 2025, a few weeks before India’s five-Test series against England, Rohit Sharma declared his retirement from Test cricket. Many praised the veteran and wished him well in the future, but according to former India cricketer and coach Pravin Amre, Rohit could not reach his full potential as a Test player despite having good technique and a natural talent.
In 2013, Rohit Sharma started playing Test cricket under MS Dhoni’s tutelage.
His 2019 ascension as a Test opener was a sea change in his red-ball career, despite his early struggles with form and steady play. In the position, the right-handed batter flourished, putting up a number of standout performances. But according to Amre, Rohit Sharma potential is not adequately represented by the figures.
“Every Mumbai hitter typically possesses an innate game sense and plays fantastic defence. He was always that confident. At first, he would be caught in the outfield while playing a lot of shots. Perhaps that explains the lack of consistency in the beginning. However, he became reliable after he perfected his technique. However, I continue to believe that he did not fully showcase his abilities as a Test batter,” he told TOI.
He ought to have held off till the England tour: Dilip Vengsarkar
With 12 hundreds and 4301 runs at an average of 40.57 in 67 games, the 38-year-old concluded his Test career. Notably, he dropped himself for the Sydney match after a recent downturn in which he averaged just 6.20 in his last three Test matches. Before ending his Test career, Rohit ought to have waited until the England series, according to former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar.
“He has the unique ability to predict length in advance. This enables him to attack or defend from either the front or the rear. He never puts bowlers or situations under pressure. I worry that his experience as an opener would be missed by India. He batted through time, left a lot of balls, and did a great job in 2021. “He ought to have held off on quitting until after the England tour,” he remarked.
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