India’s star batsman Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket surprised everyone. But do you know what is the real story behind this decision?
Team India’s former bowling coach Paras Mhambrey recently spoke openly about this and made some shocking revelations.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two legends of Indian cricket, said goodbye to Test cricket in a span of just a few days. Rohit retired on May 7, and five days later Kohli also chose the same path.
This news was no less than a shock for the fans. But Paras Mhambrey says that this decision was a completely selfless step by both the players.
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Kohli-Rohit did not feel like playing Tests?
Mhambrey told Hindustan Times, “Virat no longer had the strength for five years of Test cricket. He himself knew this. Both fought their own battles, but they felt that the time had come.”
He says that Kohli and Rohit have always been players who give 100%. But when they felt that they would no longer be able to bring that enthusiasm and passion in Tests, they chose retirement.
Virat made his Test debut against West Indies in 2011. In 113 Tests, he scored more than 9,200 runs, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries.
But in recent years his form declined, especially his weakness on balls outside the off-stump came to the fore.
On the other hand, Rohit breathed new life into Tests by becoming an opener in 2019, but poor performances against New Zealand and Australia forced him to step back.
ODIs still have strength?
Paras says that after retiring from Tests and T20s, Kohli and Rohit will now focus on ODI cricket. The next target for both could be the 2027 ODI World Cup.
“Sometimes you are not in the mood to put in that hard work. If I am not fully fit, it is better to leave one format and contribute more in the other,” Mhambrey said.
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BCCI’s big decision
After the retirement of Virat and Rohit, the BCCI has decided to extend the tenure of selector Ajit Agarkar by one year.
Under Agarkar’s leadership, India won the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy. Now the focus is on the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, India is now ready to create new history in the five-Test series against England.
Will this new era be able to fill the void of Kohli-Rohit? It remains to be seen.
