Over the past decade, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have carried Indian cricket to unparalleled heights with their match-winning performances, leadership and consistency. While Virat Kohli brought unmatched intensity and hunger to succeed across formats, Rohit Sharma’s elegant dominance and calm demeanor transformed him into one of the most dependable openers in world cricket. Together, they have been the heartbeat of India’s batting line-up and role models for the next generation.
In a surprising move, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have announced their retirement from Test cricket, just ahead of India’s upcoming five-match Test series in England. The timing raised eyebrows, especially given their apparent enthusiasm for the tour not long ago. Their decision appears to have been influenced by a recent dip in form, India’s failure to reach the ICC World Test Championship final, and reports suggesting that the new head coach Gautam Gambhir prefers injecting fresh talent into the red-ball setup for the next WTC cycle.
This marks the second format both stars have exited, having previously stepped down from T20Is, leaving them available for only One Day Internationals. Their focus now shifts to maintaining form and fitness in ODIs, with the 2027 World Cup as a potential swan song. However, continuing to perform at the highest level over the next two years presents a significant challenge, even for players of their stature.
Cricketing icon Sunil Gavaskar weighed in on the situation, emphasising that the decision to include the duo in future ODI plans lies with the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar. He noted that the selectors will have to assess whether the two veterans can continue delivering the impactful performances expected from them in the run-up to the next World Cup.
While acknowledging their historic contributions to ODI cricket, Sunil Gavaskar shared a candid opinion, expressing skepticism about their presence in the 2027 tournament. Yet, he conceded that if they rediscover their best form and deliver consistently over the next year or so, their inclusion would be undeniable. “If they keep scoring hundreds and hundreds, even God can’t drop them,” he remarked, highlighting the potential for a dramatic comeback if performance permits.
As India looks to build a team for the future, the departure of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket signals the end of an illustrious chapter, one defined by records, rivalries and relentless pursuit of excellence.
