19:29: Rohit Sharma follows the footsteps of MS Dhoni

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: May 7, 2025, 21:07 IST

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In a striking coincidence, Rohit Sharma mirrored MS Dhoni's retirement timing, announcing his exit at 19:29 IST, reminiscent of Dhoni's 2020 departure. Sharma, 38, declared his Test retirement via Instagram, expressing gratitude for the support he received. His career concluded with 4301 runs in 67 matches, including 12 centuries, and a commendable captaincy record.

19:29: Rohit Sharma follows the footsteps of MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma

In a remarkable coincidence that has stirred the sentiments of Indian cricket fans, both MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma announced their retirements at the exact same time—19:29 IST. The uncanny symmetry doesn’t end there. Both legends played their final home Test at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium and wrapped up their red-ball careers with a last appearance in Melbourne.Rohit Sharma, 38, announced his retirement from Test cricket via Instagram on Wednesday evening. "It’s been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites. Thank you for all the love and support over the years," he wrote. This comes on the heels of a TOI report suggesting that Rohit was not a guaranteed pick for the upcoming Test series in England, with the BCCI eyeing a new leadership direction.

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The timing, 19:29, instantly drew parallels with Dhoni’s own quiet exit from International cricket in 2020. Then, too, Dhoni’s retirement statement was issued at 19:29.

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Rohit’s Test career ends with 4301 runs in 67 matches, including 12 centuries, and a captaincy record of 9 wins in 14 Tests. While he struggled for form in the recent Border-Gavaskar series, even dropping himself for Gill in Sydney, his overall leadership impact was undeniable.Quiz: Who's that IPL player?

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However, the 38-year-old, who led India to the Champions Trophy triumph, maintained he will continue to play ODI cricket.From Wankhede to Melbourne, and from 19:29 to 19:29, Indian cricket once again bows out a leader with poise, dignity and perfect timing.

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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