BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla has clarified that the board had no influence over Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s decision to retire from Test cricket.
Notably, Rohit announced his retirement from Tests during the IPL, and a few days later, Kohli followed suit. The timing sparked controversy, with speculation over whether the BCCI had played a role in their decisions. However, Shukla has now put those rumours to rest.
Shukla stated that while the board misses both Kohli and Rohit, the decision to retire from Test cricket was entirely theirs. It was a personal choice, and at no point did the BCCI ask them to step away. He added that it is not the board’s policy to dictate to players when or from which format they should retire.
“I want to make it very clear once and for all. We are all feeling the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The decision to retire was made by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli on their own,” Shukla told ANI in London. “It is the policy of the BCCI that we never tell any player to retire. It was their call. They took the decision independently. We will always consider them as legendary batters. It’s very good for us that both of them are available for ODIs.”
Both Kohli and Rohit had illustrious careers in Test whites for India. Kohli represented India in 123 Test matches and scored 9230 runs in 210 innings at an average of 46.85. His career included 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, with a highest score of an unbeaten 254.
Rohit, on the other hand, featured in 67 Tests, scoring 4301 runs in 116 innings at an average of 40.57. He recorded 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries, with a best of 212.
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