Rohit Sharma Test Retirement: Ajinkya Rahane “Shocked” at Mumbai Teammate’s Decision

Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane expressed shock upon learning of Rohit Sharma’s Test retirement during a post-match press conference, revealing that the news had caught him completely off-guard while he was focused on KKR’s Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 campaign. The longtime Mumbai teammates have shared numerous cricket moments together, making Rahane’s genuine surprise reaction particularly noteworthy as it highlights the sudden nature of Rohit’s decision to step away from the red-ball format.

Rahane’s Shocked Reaction to Rohit’s Retirement

During a routine post-match press conference following Kolkata Knight Riders’ match against Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025, Ajinkya Rahane was visibly surprised when informed about Rohit Sharma’s Test retirement announcement. Completely absorbed in his IPL duties as KKR captain, Rahane had no prior knowledge of his Mumbai teammate’s momentous career decision.

The genuine shock in Rahane’s response underscores how unexpected the announcement was, even to those who have played alongside Rohit for many years at both domestic and international levels. In a sport where retirement decisions are often rumored well in advance, Rohit appears to have kept his plans closely guarded, surprising even his close cricket associates.

Rahane immediately expressed his intention to personally reach out to Rohit once he returned to the team dressing room after the press conference. “I’ll probably call him once I get back to the dressing room or send him a message,” Rahane stated. “But I definitely want to congratulate him on a fantastic Test career.”

Rohit Sharma’s Test Cricket Legacy

Though shocked by the announcement, Ajinkya Rahane offered thoughtful and informed perspectives on Rohit Sharma’s evolution as a Test cricketer. Having witnessed Rohit’s journey firsthand as both a domestic and international teammate, Rahane highlighted the remarkable adaptability that defined Rohit’s approach to the longest format of the game.

Rahane specifically emphasized Rohit’s extraordinary ability to adapt his game when transitioning from middle-order to opening batsman—a notoriously difficult adjustment in Test cricket that many talented players have struggled with throughout cricket history. “He started in the middle order at No. 5 or 6 and then opened the innings. The way he adapted was amazing,” Rahane observed.

Moreover, Rahane highlighted Rohit’s aggressive batting philosophy as a defining characteristic of his Test approach, noting, “The way he adapted was amazing. He always looked to take on bowlers and play with freedom – that’s something he wanted others to do as well.” This aggressive mindset represented a shift in India’s approach to Test cricket during Rohit’s era, helping transform the team into a more assertive unit capable of taking games to the opposition regardless of conditions.

The Mumbai Cricket Connection Between Rahane and Rohit

Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma share deep roots in Mumbai cricket, a connection that adds significant context to Rahane’s reaction. Both players emerged from Mumbai’s renowned cricket system, representing the city in domestic competitions and later playing together for India across all formats of the game.

Their shared Mumbai cricket heritage has fostered a strong professional relationship and personal friendship over many years. Both players have often spoken about their mutual respect and the influence of Mumbai’s cricket culture on their approach to the game, emphasizing technical excellence and mental toughness—hallmarks of Mumbai’s cricket traditions.

This shared cricket heritage makes Rahane’s genuine surprise at Rohit’s retirement even more significant, suggesting that even close teammates from the same cricket fraternity were not privy to Rohit’s plans to step away from Test cricket at this juncture in his career.

Rahane’s Reflections on Rohit’s Playing Style

Despite being caught off-guard by the announcement, Ajinkya Rahane offered insightful observations about Rohit Sharma’s distinctive approach to Test cricket that helped shape his successful career in the format. Rahane’s comments revealed his deep appreciation for Rohit’s unique combination of classical technique and aggressive intent.

Rahane specifically highlighted how Rohit’s natural inclination to take on bowlers defined his Test batting philosophy. “He always looked to take on bowlers and play with freedom – that’s something he wanted others to do as well,” Rahane noted. This observation underscores Rohit’s influence beyond his individual performances, suggesting he actively encouraged a more positive approach among teammates.

By emphasizing Rohit’s desire for others to “play with freedom” as well, Rahane’s comments suggest that Rohit’s influence extended beyond his personal achievements to shaping team philosophy. This mentorship aspect of Rohit’s career highlights his contribution to evolving India’s approach to Test cricket, particularly after he assumed the captaincy following Virat Kohli’s departure from the role.

KKR’s Current IPL Challenges

While the news of Rohit Sharma’s Test retirement created a significant moment during the press conference, Ajinkya Rahane’s immediate focus remains on Kolkata Knight Riders’ campaign in IPL 2025. The press interaction followed KKR’s challenging defeat against Chennai Super Kings, a result that has complicated their playoff qualification prospects.

Rahane acknowledged the difficulty of the loss, describing it as a “really tough pill to swallow” and noting that KKR’s total fell short of what would have been competitive on the pitch. “We were 10-15 short, 185-195 would have been an ideal total on this pitch,” he assessed, demonstrating his analytical approach to the game despite the emotional disappointment of defeat.

The KKR captain highlighted the partnership between Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube as a turning point in the match, praising their brave approach: “In this format, one over can change the momentum. They took their chances, and it paid off. It’s all about being brave, and they were really brave.”

Looking ahead to KKR’s remaining matches, Rahane maintained a pragmatic approach to their playoff chances. Despite their qualification prospects having “hit rock bottom,” he emphasized focusing on winning their remaining games: “Try to win two out of two, and then see what happens from there,” demonstrating the steady, one-game-at-a-time mentality that has characterized his leadership approach.

Impact on Indian Test Cricket

Rohit Sharma’s Test retirement represents a significant moment of transition for Indian cricket, creating a leadership void that will need to be addressed as the team looks toward future Test series and the next World Test Championship cycle. As someone who has played extensively alongside Rohit, Rahane’s reaction offers valuable insight into how the cricket fraternity perceives this development.

While Rahane didn’t specifically comment on the broader implications of Rohit’s retirement for Indian cricket—understandably, given he was processing the news in real-time—his genuine surprise suggests this decision may necessitate adjustment to India’s long-term Test cricket planning. The timing of Rohit’s retirement ahead of important upcoming Test series adds another layer of significance to this development.

As Indian cricket adapts to life without Rohit Sharma in the Test arena, his legacy of transforming from a middle-order batsman to a successful opener, coupled with his aggressive yet technically sound approach to the longest format, will continue to influence the team’s philosophy. Meanwhile, Rahane’s intention to personally congratulate his longtime teammate reflects the professional respect and personal bonds that define cricket at the highest level.

Published: May 8, 2025