It looks like Rohit Sharma is all set to return as India cricket team’s Test captain following the announcement of BCCI central contracts. The Hitman, who last led India in the longest format of the game in IND vs AUS 4th Test, has been retained in the A+ category. With the BCCI yet to close in on Rohit’s successor, it is now all but confirmed that Sharma will continue to lead the side for the foreseeable future.
Rohit to continue leading India in Tests
There were a lot of speculations about a change of leadership following India’s debacle in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Rohit Sharma and co. went on to lose the series 4-1, suffering yet another setback after losing to New Zealand at home. However, Sharma managed to redeem himself by leading India to their Champions Trophy win in March.
Rohit, as a batter, had a miserable run in the second half of 2024. He failed to live up to his reputation as the Hitman as he flopped against Bangladesh, New Zealand and Australia. He did start the year on a good note, amassing runs against England. However, towards the latter half of the year, Sharma delivered sub-par performances in Tests. It went to an extent where he was forced to drop himself in the IND vs AUS 5th Test.
In 2024, Rohit managed to score just 619 runs from 14 Tests, averaging a miserable 24.76. Earlier in January. there were reports of the selectors asking Sharma to decide on his Test future following the Champions Trophy. However, the Hitman managed to win the board and the selectors to his side by helping India lift the trophy, thereby earning an extension for his run as the Indian Test captain.
“He has shown what he can do. Every stakeholder feels that he is the right candidate to lead the Indian side for the tour of England. Rohit too has expressed his eagerness to keep playing red-ball cricket,” said a source had told the Indian Express earlier in March.
Rohit has been retained in Grade A+ in the BCCI Central Contracts for 2025/26. Despite retiring from T20Is, Sharma, along with Kohli and Jadeja, have been retained in the top category.
India will take on England in a five-match Test series that will commence in June.
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