New Delhi: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has opened up about the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket, revealing that both players made the decision independently rather than being asked to step away. The two senior batsmen had announced their retirement in May 2025, just ahead of India’s squad announcement for the five-match Test series in England.
Kohli and Rohit had struggled in the preceding Test series against Australia in November 2024. India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 1-3, with Rohit managing only 31 runs in three matches as captain, while Kohli scored 190 runs across nine innings in five games. Their disappointing performances attracted criticism from fans, experts, and former cricketers, sparking widespread speculation that both players might quit the five-day format.
Despite these expectations, the duo waited over five months before publicly confirming their retirement on Instagram. Rohit shared his announcement on May 7, 2025, while Kohli followed with a post on May 12, officially ending his 123-Test career.
Shastri, who coached India from 2017 to 2021, told Fox Sports that the decision was entirely the players’ own. “Virat retired from Test cricket, as did Rohit. They were not asked to retire. They went on their own. I would think it’s similar. If they’re not enjoying it, if the form is not good, you never know. They might pull the plug themselves,” he said.
Both Kohli and Rohit remain active in ODI cricket and are set to feature in India’s three-match ODI series against Australia, starting October 19 in Perth. On their limited-overs future, Shastri noted that it would depend on their fitness, form, and motivation. “It’s about how hungry you are, how fit you are, and whether the passion for the game is still there. With their experience, it’ll come in very handy. Take it one series at a time,” he said, adding that a strong performance against Australia could influence their mindset for future tours, including the series in South Africa.
Shastri’s remarks highlight that both Rohit and Kohli remain in control of their careers, suggesting they may independently decide when to step away from ODIs as well.
