Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir reacted to skipper Rohit Sharma's Test retirement ahead of the team's massive tour of England and with a new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle set to start. Rohit's future in the longest format of the game was a source of speculation ever since the team's humiliating defeats against New Zealand and Australia.

While the pair of Rohit and Gambhir delivered the Champions Trophy for India, their leadership era for Indian cricket got off to a rocky start after the Indian team were whitewashed at home against New Zealand by an unprecedented 3-0 margin before a 3-1 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT).

Rohit and Gambhir's relationship had come under the scanner during the tour of Australia with rumours of a rift especially after the Indian captain decided to sit out the final Test in Sydney. In the days to follow both Rohit and Gambhir insisted that they shared a good bond.

Gambhir took to social media and paid a glowing tribute to Rohit hours after the 38-year-old announced he was quitting Test cricket.

"A master, a leader & a gem!," wrote Gambhir on X (formerly Twitter).

Rohit is the second Indian cricket legend to bid adieu to the longest format since Gambhir took charge of the team in July last year. Ravichandran Ashwin had announced his retirement from international cricket mid-way through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT).

Gambhir now faces a big challenge as India will have to name a new captain with debates over who the top should be given to.

India are set to tour England for a marquee five-match Test series with the series opener scheduled on June 20 in Leeds before the series moves to Lord's, Birmingham, Manchester, and the Oval.

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from IPL 2025,IPL Orange Cap, IPL Purple Cap, Most Sixes in IPL, Cricket, Sports and around the world.