“Test cricket is mentally very challenging and draining” - Rohit Sharma opens up in his first media interaction after Test retirement

Former Indian Test captain Rohit Sharma, who attended his first major media interaction after announcing his Test retirement ahead of the England tour, has stated that the longest format of the game is mentally challenging and draining, but he learnt to cope with the demands of the format by focusing on preparation.

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Notably, Rohit has played 67 Tests, accumulating 4301 runs at an average of 40.58. He announced his Test retirement in May 2025, having led India to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 title earlier this year.

"It is something that you prepare for, because the game demands longevity. Especially in the Test format, you have to last for five days. Mentally, it is very challenging and it is draining as well. But all cricketers have been brought up playing First-Class cricket,” Rohit said during a CEAT event.

"When we start playing cricket at a competitive level, even in Mumbai, club cricket (matches) go on for two days (or) three days so we are built like that and it starts at a very young age for us. It kind of makes it a little easier how to respond to situations that are there in front of you," he added.

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Furthermore, Rohit asserted that all young and budding cricketers need to understand the importance of preparation, as it gives the kind of discipline that the game asks for. Rohit will be next seen playing for India in the ODI series against Australia Down Under in October.

"...when I started playing the sport, it was all about having fun, enjoying (it). As you go on, you start playing age group cricket and you kind of keep moving forward from that. Slowly, as you meet a lot of senior players (and) coaches, they talk about how important it is to prepare well,” he stated.

"When you are very young, you don't understand the importance of preparation. But as you go along, you understand, it gives you a kind of discipline that the game asks for, so it starts with preparation, understanding what exactly you need to do," he noted.

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