New Delhi, August 16, 2025 — The sudden retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Indian Test cricket in May 2025 shocked the cricketing world. Just days before the much-awaited Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England, the two icons of Indian cricket announced their exits from the longest format. While early speculation suggested that their poor run in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia had influenced their decision, a fresh claim has now stirred the debate.

Former India cricketer Karsan Ghavri has alleged that “internal politics” within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) played a decisive role in forcing the duo into premature retirement.

Ghavri’s Claim

Speaking on the Vickey Lalwani Show, Ghavri revealed that both Kohli and Rohit were eager to continue playing Test cricket. He even suggested that Kohli had the ability to serve India in the format for “another couple of years.” However, he claimed that political maneuvering within the board and the selection committee pressured the two stalwarts into stepping away earlier than expected.

“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,” Ghavri said.

He also expressed disappointment over the manner in which Kohli’s retirement was handled, particularly the absence of an official farewell. “Such a great player, who has done immense service for India, should have been given a grand and fabulous farewell,” Ghavri added.

No Farewell Raises Questions

The lack of a ceremonial send-off for two of India’s greatest batsmen has raised eyebrows among fans and cricket experts. Traditionally, Indian cricket has celebrated the farewell of legendary players, making the quiet exit of Kohli and Rohit all the more unusual.

Legendary Records

Regardless of the controversy, their cricketing records speak volumes. In One Day Internationals, Virat Kohli has scored 14,181 runs in 302 matches at a remarkable average of 57.88, with 51 centuries and 74 half-centuries. His highest score remains 183, a knock that defined his dominance in limited-overs cricket.

Rohit Sharma, equally prolific, has 11,168 runs in 272 ODIs at an average of 48.76, including 32 centuries and 59 fifties. His record-breaking 264 still stands as the highest individual score in ODI history, a feat unlikely to be surpassed anytime soon.

In Test cricket, both Kohli and Rohit played crucial roles in India’s rise as a formidable force, contributing to memorable home victories and significant overseas triumphs.

What Lies Ahead?

Speculation is already mounting that the pair may also step away from ODIs in the near future, which could end their hopes of playing the 2027 World Cup. If true, it would mark the close of a golden chapter in Indian cricket, with two of its finest batsmen calling time on their international journeys.

While the BCCI has yet to respond to Ghavri’s claims, the controversy underscores a larger debate over the treatment of senior players. For fans, however, one thing is clear: the contributions of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to Indian cricket will endure, regardless of how their Test careers concluded.