‘Virat Didn’t Have 5 Years of Test Cricket Left’: Kohli’s Retirement Called a Selfless Decision by Paras Mhambrey

New Delhi: Virat Kohli’s recent retirement from Test cricket may have shocked fans across the globe, but former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey believes the decision was both timely and selfless. According to Mhambrey, Kohli, along with his long-time teammate Rohit Sharma, recognised that their best years in the format were behind them and chose to step away with dignity.

Kohli, 36, announced his retirement from Test cricket shortly after Rohit Sharma brought down the curtains on his red-ball career, marking the end of an era in Indian cricket. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Mhambrey said both legends likely came to terms with their diminishing impact in the longest format of the game.

“Virat didn’t have five years of Test cricket left in him… Their individual battles that they fought, they must have realised that it was time,” Mhambrey said.

Kohli’s famed Test average, once above 50, had slipped in recent years amid technical struggles—particularly against balls pitched outside off stump. His returns with the bat had become inconsistent, leading to growing questions about his form in the red-ball arena.

Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, endured an even more difficult time, culminating in him opting out of the crucial fifth Test against Australia during the 2024-25 tour. India eventually lost the series 1-2, and Rohit’s self-benching signalled a possible conclusion to his Test journey.

Mhambrey suggests that both players evaluated their motivation and current physical state before making the final call.

“Maybe they were not as motivated to play that format. They’ll not be able to give their best to that format. And that’s the way they approach it. So, very selfless approach, both of them,” he added.

Although Kohli and Rohit have bowed out of Tests and T20Is, they will continue to be available for ODIs, with one final frontier in sight: the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup. Mhambrey believes this streamlined focus on one format will help both players contribute more effectively to the Indian team.

“If I’m not there 100%, I would rather just be honest and say, I’m good in one format. Let me focus on the other format, which I can be more useful for the team,” he said.

Mhambrey, who was part of the support staff during India’s recent T20 World Cup triumph, emphasized that such decisions underline the professionalism and team-first mindset of senior players like Kohli and Sharma.

As India gears up for a grueling five-match Test series against England starting this Friday, the spotlight now turns to the next generation. The team will be led by new captain Shubman Gill, with Rishabh Pant as his deputy, marking a clear shift in leadership and direction.

The absence of Kohli and Rohit in the red-ball lineup will undoubtedly leave a void—but it also presents a golden opportunity for emerging talents to stake their claim on the international stage.

With their Test and T20I journeys complete, Kohli and Rohit now pivot to their final chapter in international cricket—one they hope to conclude with an ODI World Cup victory in 2027. Until then, Indian fans can expect to see two of the game’s modern greats giving their all in the 50-over format, one last time.