Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two of India’s biggest cricket stars, surprised everyone by announcing their retirement from Test cricket. Many fans believed both players would make one last attempt to win a Test series in England before ending their careers. India last won a Test series in England back in 2007. Kohli and Rohit came very close in 2021-2022, but India lost the rescheduled Test at Edgbaston, missing the historic opportunity.

BCCI Clears Rumours About Retirement Pressure

On Tuesday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) finally responded to rumours about whether the board forced Kohli and Rohit to retire. BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla spoke to end all speculation. He said, “The decision to retire was made by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli on their own. It is the policy of BCCI that we never tell any player to retire. It was their call.”

Speaking to ANI in London, Shukla added, “We are all feeling the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. They have taken retirement on their own. We will always consider them as legendary batters. It’s very good for us that both of them are available for ODIs.”

Rohit Sharma Retires First

Rohit Sharma was the first to announce his retirement from Test cricket. He did it casually through an Instagram Story. The 38-year-old, who turned 38 in April, played 67 Tests for India. He scored 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57.

However, Rohit struggled in his final series. He had a difficult time during India’s home series against New Zealand and later during the away series in Australia. His form dipped so much that he chose to step down from the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney.

Virat Kohli Announces Retirement Later

Soon after Rohit, Virat Kohli also retired from Tests. He shared a long Instagram post explaining his decision. Kohli said he gave everything he had to the game but felt it was time to let the next generation take over.

Kohli ended his Test career with 9,230 runs in 123 matches. He scored 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries in his career. He hit a century against Australia in Perth in his last series but struggled after that. Kohli repeatedly got out chasing balls outside the off-stump. In the final Test at Sydney, frustration showed as he hit his pad after getting caught in the slips once again.

Retirement Rumours Spread Quickly

As soon as both players retired before the England tour, rumours started circulating. Many believed that head coach Gautam Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, or even the BCCI pressured them into leaving Test cricket. But Rajeev Shukla completely denied these claims.

He made it clear that both Kohli and Rohit made their own choices and no one in Indian cricket forced them to step away.

Young Indian Team Performing Well Without Senior Stars

Meanwhile, India’s young team under Shubman Gill is performing better than expected in England. Without Kohli, Rohit, and senior spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, fans thought India would struggle against Ben Stokes’ England side. However, Gill and his young team have fought hard.

Even though India trails 1-2 in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, the visitors have dominated more sessions than England so far. The third Test at Lord’s was a close contest. England won by just 22 runs, despite strong performances from Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj.

Series Continues in Manchester

Now, India will face England in the fourth Test, starting Wednesday, July 23, in Manchester. The young Indian team will try to level the series and prove themselves without their two legends.