India National Cricket Team ODI captain Rohit Sharma has opened the challenges of Test cricket after retiring from the longest format of the game.
Rohit Sharma said that Test cricket is mentally very challenging and drought, and a player needs to prepare himself very well for the format.
Rohit Sharma retired from Test cricket in May 2025
On May 7, 2025, modern-day batting Great Rohit announced through Instagram that he would retire from Test cricket and would not be available for selection for England’s India Tour 2025.
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His retirement came on the back of India’s derogatory loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia and the Home Test series against New Zealand.
There was also a big dip as Rohit Sharma, and with a new ICC World Test Championship cycle starting with Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, the batsman thought that it was the right time to make way for the youth.
His retirement opened the door to a new test captain, and BCCI entrusted Shubman Gill, who did a wonderful job against England and helped India to create a test series.
Meanwhile, Rohit scored 4301 runs in 67 matches in 40.57 in his Test career and scored a good run as captain.
Mentally, it is very challenging and it is also dry – Rohit Sharma
Speaking at the preparation of big moments, speaking at a seat event, Rohit Sharma said that a young cricketer plays the game for fun and as his journey moves forward, he understands the importance of preparation.
“This is something you prepare, because the game demands longevity. Especially in the test format, you have to stay for five days. Mentally, it is very challenging and it is also drought. But all cricketers have been brought to play first -class cricket,” Rohit Sharma said, as is quoted by PTI.
“When we start playing cricket at a competitive level, still in Mumbai, club cricket (match) runs for two days (or) for three days, so we are made like this and it starts at a very young age. It makes it a little easier how to respond to you in front of you,” He said. “
“… When I started playing the game, it was all about having fun, enjoying (this). As you move forward, you start playing age group cricket and you keep moving beyond that. Slowly, as you meet a lot of senior players (and) coaches, they talk about how important it is to prepare well.
“When you are too small, you don’t understand the importance of preparation. But as you go with you, it gives you a kind of discipline that asks for the game, so it starts with preparation, understanding that understanding what you really need to do,” Rohit Sharma said.
A lot of work begins behind the curtain – Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma further said that it is very important to be mentally fresh at all times while playing Test cricket, and the preparation of back and forth plays an important role in success.
He said, “When you are playing the longest format and the concentration happens something like this, it is important, because you are speaking about high level performance and when you are expecting to put in high levels of performance, it starts with being mentally fresh all the time,” he said.
“A lot of work starts behind the curtain. As I said, in the preparation. I have to go back to it again because this is where all this starts. You prepare yourself to maintain yourself on the field for a long time.” Rohit said.
“This happened to me exactly when I started playing for Mumbai and then went to play for India. A lot of focus, I was given a lot of time (on) how I got ready before the game. Because once the game starts, once it starts, it’s about the response and whatever you are thrown on you, is it right with a pressure position, is it a pressure position.”
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