Kathmandu: Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma has officially announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing an end to his distinguished 12-year career in the longest format of the game. The announcement has sent waves through the cricketing world as one of India's most accomplished batsmen steps away from Test matches.

Rohit, widely admired for his elegant batting style and tactical acumen, leaves behind an impressive legacy in Test cricket. Throughout his career, he amassed 4,301 runs across 67 Test matches, with an impressive record of 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries. His batting average of over 45 places him among India's most consistent performers in the red-ball format.

The 38-year-old batting maestro began his Test journey in November 2013 against the West Indies, where he made an immediate impact with a century on debut. Though initially known for his limited-overs prowess, Rohit gradually established himself as a formidable Test batsman, particularly excelling in home conditions where his ability to handle spin bowling was exemplary.

His captaincy tenure, though relatively brief in Test cricket, saw India reach the final of the World Test Championship in the previous season. Despite a strong campaign throughout the tournament, India fell short in the final, losing to Australia by 209 runs and missing out on the coveted title.

Notably, Rohit also played a significant role in India's journey to the final of the inaugural World Test Championship, where the team was defeated by New Zealand by eight wickets. His last Test appearance came against Australia last year, marking the end of an era for Indian cricket.

While Rohit has stepped away from Test cricket, he is expected to continue leading India in white-ball formats, where his leadership and batting prowess remain crucial for the team's success in upcoming global tournaments.

Cricket analysts and fans alike have begun celebrating his Test career, recognizing his contributions to Indian cricket's success on the global stage over the past decade.