Why Did Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Retire from Test Cricket? Young Guns to Take Over

May 12, 2025, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two of Indian cricket's contemporary greats, have announced their retirements from Test cricket, ushering in a new era. The cricket community has been rocked by the back-to-back judgments, which come just weeks before India's five-match series against England. Fans are left wondering: Why at this time?

Over the past 18 months, Kohli and Rohit, who are 36 and 38 years old, respectively, have been struggling with form and fitness issues. Their red-ball performances have deteriorated, despite the fact that they were still vital to India's plans in all formats:

Virat Kohli has only averaged 32.56 in Test matches over the past two years, with only two hundreds, since his double century against South Africa in 2019.

In addition to having similarly poor results overseas, Rohit Sharma has been dealing with workload-related problems, particularly with recurrent back and knee injuries.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's Test career batting stats:

The timing of their retirement seems well thought out, given the physical demands of Test cricket and the push for permanent involvement by younger players like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

A generational change in India's Test system is visible now after their departure too. The BCCI and selectors seem to be guiding the squad toward a new cycle with the retirement of Ravichandran Ashwin in this year.

According to internal sources, both Kohli and Rohit were part of discussions with the board and agreed that stepping aside would allow the new leadership group and young core to take charge in a fresh cycle starting with the England tour.

Neither Kohli nor Rohit is retiring from international cricket altogether. Both had already announced their T20I retirements following India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup. With the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon, they are now expected to shift their focus entirely to the 50-over format.

Still being in active contracts, This choice enables them to effectively manage their workload and further their careers.

Virat Kohli's aggressive, fitness-driven leadership that prioritized success abroad and Rohit Sharma's traditional opening style and composed demeanor at the top helped to reshape India's Test identity.

With their retirements, one of Indian cricket's most prosperous periods in the red-ball game comes to a close, leaving a legacy of tenacity, aspiration, and change.

The absence of Rohit and Kohli will be felt profoundly, both on and off the field, as Indian Test cricket prepares for a new era.