Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma retirements from Test cricket came at the right time? Check details
Former India cricketer and current commentator Sanjay Manjrekar recently shared his thoughts on the retirement of two Indian cricketing stalwarts — Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli — from the Test format. While acknowledging their legendary status and long-standing contributions to Indian cricket, Manjrekar pointed out that their recent red-ball form had dipped significantly. He noted that Rohit Sharma had been averaging just 10 in his last two Test series, a stark contrast to the consistent performances that once defined his career. Similarly, he mentioned that Virat Kohli, once a dominant force in the longest format, had been averaging only 30 in Test cricket over the past five years.
Can Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma be replaced in Test cricket?
Sanjay Manjrekar emphasized that while both players, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, are difficult to replace in terms of experience, leadership, and presence in the dressing room, their actual on-field output in recent years made their retirements more manageable for the Indian Test side. He believes that the team can now look toward grooming younger talents who are in better form and more suited to the current demands of the game. In Manjrekar's view, the departure of Kohli and Rohit from Test cricket, though emotionally significant, hasn’t been as major a setback as many expected.
With senior stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli absent from the Test lineup, it was Shubman Gill who stepped up and shouldered the responsibility of leading India’s batting unit. Taking over as Test skipper, Gill proved his mettle under pressure, delivering two crucial performances that kept India competitive in the high-stakes series against England. His first standout innings came during India’s impressive victory at Edgbaston in Birmingham, where he anchored the chase and set the tone for the team. He followed that up with another resilient knock in the drawn Test at Manchester, helping India avoid defeat and keep the series alive heading into the final encounter.
“Rohit Sharma was averaging 10 in the last two series that he played and Virat Kohli was averaging 30 in the last five years. So they were perhaps not easy to replace, but it wasn’t like it was a huge loss," former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar said.
“It was a loss of two very senior players, but not a loss of contribution, because they weren’t contributing as much," he added.
Gill’s maturity, composure, and tactical awareness drew praise from all quarters, especially given the challenging English conditions and the expectations that come with captaining a side in transition. Former England batter Jonathan Trott acknowledged Gill’s pivotal role and even went on to admit that had the roles been reversed — with England missing key batters like Joe Root or Ben Stokes — his side would likely have crumbled under similar circumstances. Trott praised India’s ability to adapt and Gill’s emergence as a dependable leader during a critical phase, calling it a testament to India’s growing bench strength.
“If you’re taking the Joe Root out of the side or taking two experienced players like India have had to retire recently, it would be a very, very different scenario. I think India have given a great account of themselves," stated former England cricketer Jonathan Trott.
“They’ve kept the series alive and it’s certainly interesting to see the mood in the bus on the England bus when it goes down to London compared to the Indian bus on the way down to London," he added.
After conceding a massive 311-run first-innings lead and losing both openers for ducks early in the second innings, India found themselves staring at defeat in the Manchester Test which could have been a big cricket update. However, what followed was a remarkable show of resilience and grit from the middle and lower order. Shubman Gill led the fightback with a composed 103 off 238 deliveries, while KL Rahul supported him with a patient 90 off 230 balls, helping India regain stability after the early collapse.
On the final day, England looked poised to seal the series when captain Ben Stokes and pace spearhead Jofra Archer removed the well-set Gill and Rahul in the morning session. But India refused to back down. Ravindra Jadeja, with an unbeaten 107 off 185 balls, and Washington Sundar, who also remained unbeaten on 101 off 206 deliveries, took charge of the resistance.
Their defiant partnership not only frustrated the English bowlers but also shifted the momentum back towards India. Jadeja and Sundar absorbed pressure, rotated strike smartly, and began to find boundaries late in the day, slowly but surely neutralizing England’s advantage. Their unbeaten stand helped India salvage a draw from the jaws of defeat, keeping the series alive and showcasing the team’s depth, character, and never-say-die spirit.
