The ongoing story of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Test Retirement has taken another twist. Former India pacer Karsan Ghavri has strongly accused the BCCI and the selectors of forcing both legends to quit Test cricket.
For years, retirements in Indian cricket happened gradually. Sourav Ganguly retired in 2008, followed by Rahul Dravid in 2012, then VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar in 2013. Virender Sehwag stepped down less than a year later. The process allowed senior players to leave one after another, giving youngsters space to take over.
But in 2025, this tradition was broken. Within five days, two of India’s greatest modern-day batsmen, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, announced their exit from Test cricket. The sudden nature of the Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Test Retirement shocked fans and created a storm of speculation.
The Shock Exit of Kohli and Rohit
In May this year, Rohit Sharma was the first to step away, casually announcing it on Instagram. Just two days later, news surfaced that Virat Kohli had written to the BCCI, confirming he too wanted to retire. Within 48 hours, he made it public on social media.
Two pillars of Indian batting were gone almost overnight. The way the Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Test Retirement unfolded left fans confused. Many began asking whether it was truly their choice or whether they were forced to go.
The doubts grew stronger when past events were recalled. Kohli had recently played in the Ranji Trophy for Delhi and even told his coach he wanted to score multiple centuries in England. Rohit, during a chat with Michael Clarke in the IPL break, said he was looking forward to the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Clearly, both were planning for the future. That’s why the Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Test Retirement felt unnatural.
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Karsan Ghavri’s Explosive Claims
Three months later, Karsan Ghavri broke his silence. The former pacer, who shared the new ball with Kapil Dev in the 1970s, claimed that politics inside the BCCI and decisions by Ajit Agarkar’s selection panel forced both players out.
According to him, the Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Test Retirement was not voluntary. “Kohli could have played at least two more years. He was fit and motivated. But something forced him to quit. And sadly, he wasn’t even given a farewell,” Ghavri said.
He argued that players of Kohli’s stature deserve a grand send-off for their contribution to Indian cricket. Instead, the Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Test Retirement happened quietly, leaving fans stunned.
Kohli finished as India’s fourth-highest Test run-getter, though he missed out on 10,000 runs. As captain, he delivered 40 wins, including India’s first-ever series victory in Australia in 2018-19. His dip in form was visible in recent years, but many believe he had more to give at just 36.
Rohit, on the other hand, reinvented himself as a Test opener after 2019. He scored heavily both at home and overseas. Yet, Ghavri believes his career was cut short by the Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Test Retirement saga that the BCCI pushed forward.
“Politics Ended Their Careers Early”
Ghavri bluntly stated that politics was the reason behind the Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Test Retirement. He said the players did not want to leave, but the selectors wanted fresh faces in the team. “It wasn’t their decision. They resisted but were told to step away. This is petty politics,” he added.
Fans too have raised similar concerns. Some feel the BCCI wanted to prepare for the next World Test Championship cycle by removing senior players. Others believe personal differences between the board and the two icons played a role.
Whatever the truth may be, the Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Test Retirement has created a massive hole in Indian Test cricket. Instead of the smooth farewell the Fab Five once received, this sudden exit has left fans angry and confused.
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