Sourav Ganguly retired in November 2008. Four years later, Rahul Dravid ended his 16-year career. VVS Laxman left months after, followed by Sachin Tendulkar in November 2013. Eleven months later, Virender Sehwag retired. This gradual transition has long been Indian cricket’s norm. Seniors step back due to form and reflexes, allowing youngsters to take over.
However, three months ago, this pattern broke. Two of India’s biggest batting icons, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, announced their Test retirements within five days. Rohit revealed his exit via an Instagram story. Two days later, news broke of Kohli informing the BCCI about his decision. He confirmed it on Instagram within 48 hours. Fans were shocked at the sudden exits of both stalwarts.
Over the next weeks, several theories emerged. Were they done with the format, or forced out? Kohli even returned to play Ranji Trophy for Delhi and told his coach about aiming for 4-5 centuries in England. Rohit, during an IPL break chat with Michael Clarke, said he was looking forward to the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. This made fans believe something happened behind the scenes.
Ghavri’s Explosive Claim
Former India pacer Karsan Ghavri has added fuel to the speculation. He claimed both Kohli and Rohit wanted to play more Tests but were pushed out by the BCCI and the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel.
“He [Kohli] should have definitely continued playing for India easily, probably for another couple of years. But something really forced him to retire. And unfortunately, when he retired, he was not even given a farewell by the BCCI. Such players, such a great player who has done such great service to BCCI, India cricket and Indian fans, should be given a grand and fabulous farewell,” Ghavri said on the Vickey Lalwani Show.
Rohit and Kohli’s Legacy
Kohli retired as India’s fourth-highest Test run-scorer, with under 10,000 runs. He led India to 40 Test wins, including a historic series win in Australia in 2018-19. Rohit’s Test career took flight after becoming an opener in 2019. Ghavri stated the decision-makers did not want them to continue, despite their willingness.
“It’s due to internal politics within the BCCI, which is hard to understand. And I think this is the reason he retired prematurely. Even Rohit Sharma retired prematurely. They were asked to go out. It’s not like they wanted to leave. They wanted to continue. But the selectors and BCCI had different ideas. It was a matter of some kind of petty politics,” added Ghavri.
The controversy has left fans questioning if internal politics robbed Indian cricket of two more years of Kohli and Rohit in whites.
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