Virender Sehwag opens on Rohit Sharma’s Test retirement ahead of ENG vs IND 2025 series, says he could have played 100 Test matches

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag believes Rohit Sharma could have played 100 Test matches for the country after the latter announced his Test retirement on Wednesday. Rohit made his Test debut against the West Indies at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata and scored two centuries in the first two Test matches he played.

But, Rohit veered off the track in the red-ball version however he found a second wind in his Test career in 2019 when he started opening the innings.  Rohit could only manage 31 runs in three Test matches against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar trophy 2024-25 at an average of 6.20 and also stood down in the final Test against Australia at Sydney, casting a doubt on his Test future.

Rohit played 67 Tests during an 11-year career, leading in 24 of them since taking over the reins of the team from Virat Kohli in 2022. He ends his career with a total of 4301 runs, including 12 centuries.

Virender Sehwag said on Cricbuzz, “Who wouldn’t miss a player like Rohit Sharma? Whether it’s Test cricket, ODI cricket, or T20 cricket, he always provided full entertainment. Fans enjoyed watching his batting, and the records he’s made are outstanding. Yes, there’s always that feeling-he could have played a bit longer. He could have reached 100 Test matches, and only a few elite players have achieved that milestone.”

“But he’s made his decision, and that’s fine. His career has been absolutely brilliant. He has no regrets. He started in the middle order and retired as an opener. His achievements are massive. So I’d say-thank you, Rohit, for your service, and all the best for the future.”

After standing down in the fifth Test match against Australia, Rohit had clarified that he isn’t retiring from the red-ball version but later changed his decision.

“It’s amazing, because I had also heard those things-like how he was preparing for the England tour, or during the Australia tour when he didn’t play the last Test match, he was saying, ‘I’m not going anywhere. I’m right here. Don’t pretend like I’ve retired’. But what might have happened during this time?,” said Sehwag (via aforementioned source).

Sehwag said Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel would have had the discussion with Rohit Sharma regarding his Test future with the England tour on the cards.

“What happened is probably this: when the selectors made their decision-maybe they thought, “We won’t announce Rohit Sharma as the Test captain,” or perhaps, “We won’t even take him as a player” for the England tour. I’m sure the selectors would have spoken to him, told him what they were thinking, and then offered him some options.”