Revisiting the best of Rohit Sharma in Tests

By Rahul Pandey

After 67 Tests for India, Rohit Sharma has called time on his career in the longest format.

The 38-year-old, who was appointed as the Indian skipper in red-ball cricket back in 2022, brings down curtains on his career with 4301 runs to his name at an average of 40.57, which includes 12 tons and 18 half-centuries.

From a mammoth century on his debut to a historic Test-winning knock at The Oval, we look at five of his best innings in the longest format:

177 vs West Indies (Kolkata, 2013)

A grand debut in the all-whites. With West Indies having run through the Indian top-order in the first innings at the Eden Gardens, Rohit Sharma orchestrated a comeback for the hosts with a commanding century.

Facing a total of 301 deliveries during his stay, Rohit amassed 177 runs, lacing 23 fours and a maximum to take the attack to the Windies.

The innings remains the second-highest score by an Indian batter on Test debut - behind Shikhar Dhawan’s 187 against Australia.

It laid the platform for India winning the Test and the debutant was named Player of the Match for his heroics with the bat.

212 vs South Africa (Ranchi, 2019)

A breakout innings, and series, for Rohit Sharma the Test opener. A mainstay in ODIs and T20Is, Rohit made a strong case for opening in Tests with his exploits in the home Test series against the Proteas.

Having scored two tons already in the first Test in Visakhapatnam, Rohit signed off the series with his highest score in the format.

A brisk 212 off 256 deliveries that included a stunning 28 fours and six maximums shouldered India’s mammoth win by an innings and 202 runs.

The hosts sealed the series 3-0 and Rohit was named Player of the Match for the Ranchi Test as well as the Player of the Series.

Rohit Sharma notched his highest score in Test cricket against South Africa during the Ranchi Test in 2019 // Sportzpics

161 vs England (Chennai, 2021)

With India trailing 1-0 in the four-Test series on the back of a major upset from the Joe Root-led England side, Rohit fired the hosts to a spellbinding comeback.

On a landmine Chepauk surface for the batters, Rohit amassed 161 runs off 237 deliveries to complement a century from Ravichandran Ashwin as the England batters struggled to get a grip in the middle.

With the spinners governing the run of play, the Indian opener found the boundary ropes 18 times, while clearing them twice.

The knock – Rohit’s first triple-figure score in Tests since his double century – played a key role in India eventually sealing the series 3-1 and punching their ticket to the first-ever ICC World Test Championship Final in 2021.

127 vs England (The Oval, 2021)

The swashbuckling Indian batter had to wait a long time for his maiden Test ton away from home, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

With a fiercely contested five-Test series level (1-1) after three Tests, much was at stake in the fourth Test at The Oval.

While England had managed to gain a 99-run first innings lead, the Indian opener turned the tide, smashing 127 off 256 deliveries.

The knock included a total of 14 boundaries and one six, and paved the way for a historic Test win for India in England.

India's Rohit Sharma celebrates scoring his century against England at The Oval, London in 2021 // Getty Images

120 vs Australia (Nagpur, 2023)

Another closely fought Test series with the ICC World Test Championship Final spots up for grabs, and Rohit Sharma set the tone for the hosts in the series opener.

On a traditionally spin-friendly surface, the Indian skipper produced a masterclass against the turning ball.

Known for his boundary-hitting prowess, Rohit exemplified grit and resilience to notch 120 off 212 balls.

Batting across 344 minutes, Rohit pushed India’s first-innings total to 400 as the hosts mounted a win by an innings and 132 runs.