First Rohit Sharma and then Virat-announces retirement from Test cricket within in a week

Not much separates the fantastic duo, especially in terms of numbers, too, if one takes a comparison of these two legends in the last five years of their Test careers - Virat scored 2640 runs in 47 Tests with five centuries and Rohit 2716 runs in 40 Tests with nine centuries

Hyderabad: It is the end of an era. In a rare coincidence, two of the greatest Indian cricketers – first Rohit Sharma and then Virat Kohli – have announced retirement from Test cricket within the span of a week! Unquestionably, both of them deserved a much more dignified farewell given their contributions to the game over such a long span and playing a significant role in India winning the World Cups and, Champions Trophy, but had to leave the scene quietly.

Not much separates the fantastic duo, especially in terms of numbers, too, if one takes a comparison of these two legends in the last five years of their Test careers – Virat scored 2640 runs in 47 Tests with five centuries and Rohit 2716 runs in 40 Tests with nine centuries.

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Not surprisingly, the speculation around the timing and the reasons for the retirements of these two all-time great cricketers is always debatable. For except, the way the 38-year-old Rohit and Kohli posted their decisions on the social media ‘handle’, there was nothing forthright about the issue.

In the case of Rohit, it was all speculation that only after the BCCI informed him that he might not be in the scheme of things for the Test series in England starting next month that the Mumbai batter, who led India to victory in the 2024 T-20 World Cup victory and the 2025 Champions Trophy, decided to take a final call without waiting for the rough end of treatment.

On the other hand, 36-year-old Kohli was said to have conveyed to the BCCI a couple of days ago, again, no BCCI official going on record acknowledging it, about his desire to quit Test cricket, other than planting stories according to their convenience. Strange as it may sound, the decisions of both Rohit and Kohli are least surprising given the way some of the greatest names have been forced to say goodbye in unusual circumstances.

The BCCI is known for pushing some of the greats into oblivion once they (BCCI) feels that they are done with cricketers of even this stature. Rarely in India are cricketers given the chance to leave the arena in a more royal manner, having served the game at the highest level with so much passion and hunger over such a long span.

Yes, both Kohli and Rohit decided to bid farewell to the T-20 format after India won the T-20 World Cup in the West Indies last year under the latter’s captaincy. By all means, mere numbers in a given phase when these star batters have had an indifferent run cannot be the sole criterion to force them, literally, to take the final call.

No doubt, one has to move on and keep looking forward. Definitely, this ‘Day’ has to come – if not now, sooner or later. But the way they left the scene is debatable and unpleasant for sure. India in England next month for the Test series, will be without two of its finest batters – Rohit and Kohli, who built their reputation over the years, banking on their skills, backing them with the desired effort.

Indian cricket moves on for sure as there are quite a few gifted young cricketers ready to be picked for the national team, but the powers-that-be could have ensured a more pleasing transition!