The 7:29 PM mystery: Rohit Sharma announces retirement at exact same time as MS Dhoni

In the ever-narrative-rich world of Indian cricket, few moments unfold with poetic symmetry, but on 7 May 2025, Rohit Sharma added another chapter to this tradition, announcing his retirement from Test cricket at precisely 19:29 (7:29 pm) IST, which is the exact same time MS Dhoni chose to step away from international cricket five years earlier.

This uncanny repetition, loaded with symbolism, has left fans nostalgic and curious, with many drawing parallels between the careers of these two giants of the game.

Shared Stages: From Wankhede to Melbourne

Interestingly, the symmetry extends beyond the clock. Both Sharma and Dhoni played their final home Test matches at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, India’s spiritual cricketing home, and concluded their red-ball careers with Tests in Melbourne, Australia.

For players whose careers spanned different timelines and roles, this shared arc adds a rare layer of coincidence.

Dhoni, a wicketkeeper-batsman and former captain, had made a habit of retiring without fuss, and Rohit appears to have followed suit.

Twin Timings, Twin Tributes

Rohit Sharma’s retirement announcement came via a quiet Instagram story, where the 38-year-old posted an image of his India Test cap alongside a succinct message: “It’s been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites. Thank you for all the love and support over the years. I will continue to represent India in the ODI format.”

While Sharma did not reference Dhoni or the timestamp directly, the parallel was impossible to miss and has since become a talking point in cricketing circles.

Social media was abuzz, with fans and pundits alike lauding the apparent homage, interpreting it as a gesture of quiet respect from one great to another.

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Rohit's Numbers: A Career of Contrasts

Rohit Sharma exits the Test arena with 4,301 runs in 67 matches at an average of 40.57. He registered 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries, with a highest score of 212. His career, which began with a bang—scoring 177 on debut against the West Indies in 2013—later found resurgence when he moved up to open the innings in 2019.

As captain, Sharma led India in 24 Tests, winning 12, losing 9, and drawing 3. While his leadership saw India dominate at home and remain competitive abroad, it was not without its blemishes.

India’s 3-0 Test series loss to New Zealand at home in 2024 marked their first such defeat in over a decade. In the 2025 Australia series, Sharma managed just 31 runs in three Tests at an average of 6.20—the form that prompted widespread criticism and likely played a role in his decision to step away.

Though initially denying any retirement plans, Sharma dropped himself for the final Test in Sydney, making way for Shubman Gill. Just weeks later, his quiet Instagram message seemed to confirm what many had suspected.

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Why 7:29?

While the exact significance of 7:29 remains unclear, its recurrence has sparked intense speculation. For Dhoni, it was a silent curtain call on Independence Day, a moment dripping with national symbolism. Sharma’s use of the same timestamp could be interpreted as a nod to Dhoni, a master of timing both on and off the field. Or perhaps it is a coincidence that only adds to cricket’s rich tapestry of lore.