India’s red-ball captain Rohit Sharma is reportedly set to skip the upcoming five-match Test series against England. Sharma, who recently led India to ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 glory, is currently playing for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
However, with India’s tour of England scheduled from June 20 to August 4, questions remain over his participation.
As per reports, Sharma has opted for a break following his underwhelming performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) last year, where he managed just 31 runs in five innings before resting for the fifth Test. His struggles sparked debates about his future in the longest format, both as a player and as captain.
Despite the speculation, Sharma had previously dismissed retirement rumours, stating that his decision was not permanent.
“This is not a decision of retirement. I am not moving away from this game. But I took a decision to step away because I was not able to score runs with the bat,” Sharma had said.
He further addressed the external criticism, asserting that his future in the format would not be dictated by commentators or analysts.
“I have seen a lot of cricket. Every minute, every second, life changes. I believe things will change, but at the same time, I have to be realistic. People sitting in the commentary box, or writing with a laptop in their hands, will not decide how my life goes,” he added.
With Sharma’s availability uncertain, India’s leadership and batting order for the England series may see significant changes, setting up an intriguing contest.
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