Rohit Sharma Virat Kohli

Double Blow for Indian Cricket: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Retire from Test Cricket

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In a stunning development that sent ripples through the cricketing world, two of India’s most celebrated cricketers — Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli — announced their retirements from Test cricket. Their exits marked the end of an era for Indian red-ball cricket and signaled a dramatic shift in the team’s long-format future.

Rohit Sharma Bids Farewell to Test Cricket

Rohit Sharma, India’s then Test captain, decided to step away from the longest format of the game. At 38, and after leading India through some exceptional highs, the decision came following back-to-back Test series losses — first at home against New Zealand and then away in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.

These losses not only ended India’s dominance in the format but also saw the team miss qualification for the ICC World Test Championship Final — the first time since the inception of the tournament.

With 67 Tests under his belt, Rohit Sharma finished his red-ball career with 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, including 12 centuries. He brought stability to the Indian top order and led with poise. However, mounting pressure, inconsistency in form, and public criticism appeared to have played a role in his decision.

Though he stepped down from the longest format, Rohit continued to lead India in ODIs and recently led the team to a historic Champions Trophy title win.

The Indian Test squad is to be announced for the upcoming series against England, which will also mark the start of the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

Speaking to journalist Vimal Kumar, Rohit opened up about the criticism he faced throughout his career. He admitted that while criticism is part of an athlete’s life, some of it has been unfair.

“Criticism is a part of a sportsperson’s life. Criticism is necessary and important. But what I’m against is unnecessary criticism. I don’t like it. There were a lot of things said about me. But I don’t pay attention to any of it, and it doesn’t affect me,” Rohit said in his interview on YouTube.

“So many things have been said about me – like I can’t play left-arm fast bowlers, and many other things – but now, I don’t pay attention to it anymore. If you go and defend everything, you will waste a lot of time. And time is precious. My

work is to attack,” he added.

Virat Kohli Followed With Test Retirement

Just days after Rohit’s retirement, Virat Kohli reportedly informed the selection committee of his intent to retire from Test cricket. While the official announcement followed shortly after, strong indications had already suggested Kohli would make a formal statement before the India vs. England Test series — which marked the start of the 2025–2027 WTC cycle.

Kohli had been a pillar of India’s Test team for over a decade, amassing 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85 with 30 centuries. His leadership played a pivotal role in transforming India into a dominant force overseas, including landmark wins in Australia and England.

However, the past few years had seen Kohli struggling with consistency in Tests. With growing speculation about his retirement and his silence on the matter, it became increasingly clear that Kohli was preparing to exit the longest format.

Uncertainty Looms: More Retirements to Follow?

Following the retirement of Rohit Sharma and the subsequent departure of Virat Kohli, several other veteran players, such as Mohammed Shami, also came under the radar. Shami’s place in the squad for the England series was re-evaluated as selectors looked to inject fresh blood into the squad.

India’s Test cricket stood at a crossroads. The dual exits of Rohit and Kohli left significant gaps in leadership, experience, and middle-order solidity. With a young and relatively inexperienced team expected to face England, the challenge for the BCCI and team management became immense.

Who Took Over India’s Test Leadership?

With Rohit gone and Kohli retired, the selectors began exploring new leadership candidates. Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, and Shubman Gill were reportedly in the mix. However, Bumrah’s fitness management, Rahul’s recent form, and Gill’s inexperience made the decision complex.

The five-match series against England became the first big test for India’s next-gen red-ball leaders.

Conclusion

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s exit from Test cricket marks the end of a glorious era — an era of grit, domination, and match-winning brilliance. Their contributions shaped India’s rise in the ICC Test rankings and made them fierce competitors globally.

As India prepares to enter a new phase, the legacy of these two modern legends will continue to inspire the next generation. Their exits may be emotional, but they also provide an opportunity — for the team to rebuild, regroup, and reimagine what the next great Indian Test team will look like.

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