India veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane who is currently leading Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, was surprised by the news of Rohit Sharma's retirement from the Tests. Rahane-led KKR recently featured against Chennai Super Kings, where the MS Dhoni-led side defeated them by two wickets to end their campaign on high notes.
After KKR's defeat, Rahane was addressing the media and when asked about Rohit's retirement, India's Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 winning captain said that he didn't know about the retirement, but he wished him the best for his future plans.
"I just want to wish him the best. Though he has done fantastically well in the test format. well, I didn't know I was actually, I'm actually shocked. I didn't know that he retired in the test format, but I just want to wish him the best. Whatever his plans are, he has done really well, you know. Improved his game, I thought, as a test batter"
He also praised Rohit's journey as a batter in the longest format of the game and his attacking style.
"He started his career five, six numbers and then. I thought the way he adapted to that opening slot was amazing to see. He always wanted to take on the ballers, play with freedom and that's what he wanted other players to do as well, play with freedom. So I just want to wish him the best. Probably I'll call him once I go back to the dressing room or send him a message, but just want to congratulate him on a fantastic test career" added Rahane
Rohit's retirement from the Tests came just before the five-Test match series against England, which is scheduled to start from June 20. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will announce India's squad for the England series by the end of this month.
Coming back to the KKR vs CSK clash, Rahane-led side is all but out of the playoffs race in IPL 2025 but he is batting well, leading the run-scoring charts for his side with 375 runs from 11 innings.