Did BCCI force Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli into retirement? Shukla defends the board
When India won the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, it came as a bittersweet update that the seniors had left the format behind. While it was still a hard pill to swallow, the news of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announcing their retirements from T20Is didn't come as a shock. Retiring on a high, with the seniors seeming to channel their focus on the longer formats, appeared to be the right move. However, not even a year after that decision, a shocking and remarkably hard-hitting one arrived. The sudden and subtle way in which first Rohit Sharma, then Virat Kohli, exited Tests sent Indian cricket fans into an uneasy frenzy. While it's been some time since their Test retirements, the masses still suspect the role of external factors in the exits of their favourites.
Rohit Sharma was still designated as the Indian Test captain when he very quietly announced his retirement from the format. The 37-year-old, amid the busy IPL 2025 schedule and an impending India-Pakistan war, deemed it appropriate to announce his Test retirement with nothing more than an Instagram story, one that disappears within 24 hours. Not even a week later, another storm hit the Indian Test scene when Virat Kohli followed suit and announced his retirement from Tests, just 730 runs short of achieving the elusive milestone of 10,000 Test runs.
Both seniors stood at the center of scrutiny when India suffered a disappointing conclusion to the last WTC cycle. A 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand, followed by a 1-3 defeat in the Border Gavaskar Trophy down under, marked a humiliating end to the cycle for India. Meanwhile, the form of both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli turned out to be one of the most disappointing aspects of the season. However, despite all the setbacks, both Kohli and Rohit looked set to make a comeback.
Most had anticipated a farewell campaign in the India vs England series, a chance for the veterans to have one last shot at a historic series win. Runs had been scarce for both in recent months, but their legacy as match-winners in the red-ball format made many believe they'd give it one final push at the start of the new WTC Cycle. The 2021-2022 campaign saw Kohli and Rohit come heartbreakingly close, only for India to falter in the rescheduled Edgbaston Test.
"The BCCI doesn't tell any player to retire": Rajeev Shukla says reflecting on the Test retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
On Tuesday, the BCCI broke its silence amid growing speculation about the duo’s retirements. Questions had been swirling around whether the board had nudged them out. Addressing the issue, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla stated that decisions about retirement lie solely with the players. The board representative further specified that the BCCI has no authority to enforce such choices.
Rohit Sharma was the first to bow out, announcing his retirement from the format through a low-key Instagram Story. At 38, Rohit wrapped up his Test career with 67 matches under his belt, amassing 4301 runs at an average of 40.57. His recent outings hadn’t been easy, as he struggled during the New Zealand home series and faltered again in the away games against Australia. In fact, the form slump led him to voluntarily opt out of the final Test in the Border Gavaskar Trophy at Sydney.
Virat Kohli, on the other hand, delivered a heartfelt Instagram post to announce the end of his red-ball journey. He reflected on having given his all and acknowledged that it was time to hand over the reins to the next generation. Kohli’s Test career concluded with a remarkable tally of 9230 runs in 123 matches, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties. His century in the opening BGT Test had raised hopes of a resurgence, but a string of dismissals outside the off-stump line led to a dip in form.
Their back-to-back announcements just before the India vs England series triggered widespread speculation. The fact that India upcoming matches won't feature the modern-day legend irked the passionate fans who alleged a foul play in the happenings. Whispers circulated that head coach Gautam Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, or even the BCCI might have influenced their exits. However, in a recent interaction, Rajeev Shukla put those rumours to rest, stressing that both players made their decisions independently and confirmed that they remain in contention for selection in ODIs.
“I want to make it very clear once and for all. We are all feeling the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. 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,” Shukla said. “They have taken retirement on their own. We will always them. We will always consider them as legendary batters. It's very good for us that both of them are available for ODIs,” he added.
