Indian cricketer Virat Kohli’s sudden decision to retire from Test cricket caught many off guard but former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey believes it was a calculated and timely move. Virat Kohli, now 36, made the announcement shortly after Rohit Sharma also concluded his journey in the format, signaling the end of an era for Indian Test batting.
According to Paras Mhambrey, both the players seemed to recognise that they were no longer at their peak in the purest format. In recent years, Virat Kohli’s Test batting average slipped below the 50-mark and his vulnerability to balls outside off stump became increasingly apparent. Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, faced his own difficulties, culminating in his decision to exclude himself from the final Test during the 2024–25 Australia tour, a series India lost by 1-2.
Paras Mhambrey pointed out that Virat Kohli likely understood he didn’t have another five years of Test cricket in him. He said that both the players must have reflected on their personal form and motivation levels, ultimately realising they could no longer contribute at the level they once did. He further said that their decision was selfless as it was a result of the team-first approach.
The two former captains have not only retired from Tests but have also stepped away from T20Is. However, they remain committed to ODIs and are expected to target the 2027 World Cup. Paras Mhambrey, who was part of the support staff during India’s T20 World Cup triumph, believes this move will help them concentrate on a single format where they can still bring value.
He explained that sometimes players find it hard to mentally commit to the rigorous demands of a particular format. In such situations, being honest about one’s limitations and shifting focus becomes the most professional choice.
As India now prepares to face England in a new five-Test series starting Friday, the team enters a transformative phase under the leadership of Shubman Gill, with Rishabh Pant as his deputy.
