India’s New Delhi Cricket fans from all around the globe have been paying their respects to Rohit Sharma as he ends his storied Test career. Young Indian opener Shubman Gill sent one of the most moving statements.

He acknowledged the influence Rohit had on his career and thanked his former captain on Instagram.

Gill shared a narrative on his official Instagram account, writing,

“India is appreciative of your performance as a player and captain throughout the Test matches. For myself and everyone else who has played with or against you, you have been an incredible inspiration. You have taught me several things that I will always remember. To @rohitsharma45, one of the greatest captains I’ve ever played for, happy retirement. “Thank you, Cap.”

The 38-year-old set out on a journey and played in 67 Test matches for India, scoring 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57 with 12 hundreds and 18 half-centuries. In a 2019 home series against South Africa, Rohit showed off his best when he wowed with a knock of 212.

In the longest format, he was India’s 16th-highest run scorer. His remarkable 177 against the West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata in 2013 marked the beginning of his Test career. He scored 2,716 runs at an average of 41.15 in 40 Test matches during the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), including nine hundreds and eight fifties. He ranks 10th overall among the highest run scorers, is India’s leading scorer, and has scored a century in the history of the World Test Championship. In 2023, he guided India to the WTC final against Australia, which they lost.

He captained India in 24 Test matches overall, winning 12, losing 9, and drawing 3. In the format, his victory rate is precisely 50%.

Gill has received recognition for his leadership in the Indian Premier League (IPL). After the 38-year-old retired from the long-format, the graceful right-hander is considered the favorite to succeed Rohit Sharma as India’s Test captain in the near future, beginning with the five-Test visit to England in June, according to ESPNCricinfo.

According to ESPNCricinfo, Jasprit Bumrah, who captained India in two Test matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and took a record-breaking 32 wickets in five Test matches, is expected to miss some Test matches in the upcoming cycle in order to manage his workload and avoid injuries, so Gill’s selection as Test captain appears certain.