The sudden Test retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have sparked intense speculation, with former India fast bowler Karsan Ghavri suggesting that the two modern-day greats may have been forced out due to internal politics within the BCCI.
Both stalwarts shocked fans earlier this year by announcing their retirement from Test cricket — Rohit via social media, followed by Kohli just days later. Neither had hinted at stepping away from the red-ball format, making their exits even more surprising.
Speaking on the Vickey Lalwani Show, Ghavri said he believes Kohli could have played for “at least a couple more years” and expressed disappointment that the batting icon was not given a farewell by the BCCI.
“Such a great player, who has done so much for Indian cricket, should have been given a fabulous farewell,” Ghavri said.
He went on to claim that “petty politics” within the board and team management played a role in their premature exits.
“It’s not that they wanted to leave. They wanted to continue. But the selectors and BCCI had different ideas. They were asked to go out,” Ghavri alleged.
The former pacer added that the internal workings of the BCCI are “hard to understand” but maintained that both players were victims of behind-the-scenes decisions.
The controversy adds fuel to ongoing discussions about the future of Rohit and Kohli in limited-overs cricket, with reports suggesting the duo might also retire from ODIs after India’s tour of Australia later this year.
