Muscat: The decision, shared on social media Wednesday evening, comes just weeks before India’s crucial five-Test tour of England begins on June 20.

The 38-year-old opener, who led India to the World Test Championship final last year, confirmed that while his red-ball career ends here, he will continue to captain the side in ODIs.

“Hello everyone I would just like to share that I am retiring from Test cricket. It’s been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites,” wrote Rohit, who had already stepped away from T20Is after India’s World Cup triumph in 2024.

Rohit’s decision arrives in the wake of a tough phase in the longest format. He endured a lean run of form through late 2024 and early 2025 — including a dismal tour of Australia, where he averaged just 10.93 across eight innings. India lost that series 3-1, having also suffered a whitewash at home against New Zealand before it.

Notably, he had missed the opening and final Tests in Australia — the first due to the birth of his child, and the last in Sydney, where he stepped aside amid poor form. At the time, he clarified that it was not a retirement but a temporary break.

“I have confidence in me that things can change… but I have to be realistic,” he told Star Sports during the series. “I’m a sensible man, mature man, father of two kids. So I know what I need in life.”

With Rohit’s exit, India’s red-ball leadership baton is up for grabs. Jasprit Bumrah, the current vice-captain, who led the team in Rohit’s absence in Australia, is the frontrunner to take over.

Rohit concludes his Test career with 4301 runs from 67 Tests, including 12 centuries and 18 fifties at an average of 40.57 — a career that saw a spectacular second wind after he was promoted to open in 2019.