MAY 13, 2025
Gautam Gambhir Played a Key Role in Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma’s Test Retirement: Report X/BCCI
First Ravichandran Ashwin, then Rohit Sharma, and now Virat Kohli – three greats of Indian cricket have announced their retirements in the last few months. While Ashwin has retired from all forms of international cricket, Rohit and Kohli have quit Test cricket.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s decision comes as a massive shock to the nation. Both of them had expressed their desire to continue representing India in the longest format of the game on different platforms.
Speaking on Michael Clarke’s podcast last month, Rohit said he would try to win the Test series in England. Kohli, on the other hand, told Delhi Ranji Trophy coach Sarandeep Singh that he was looking forward to playing the Test series in England and scoring three to four centuries. He even devised a clear plan to prepare himself for this crucial series.
According to several media reports, the national selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir didn’t see Rohit and Kohli fitting into the Indian Test team going forward. Their poor form with the bat and the rise of several young batters propelled them to look beyond them.
Gautam Gambhir Played a Key Role in Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma’s Test Retirement: Report X/BCCI
As per news agency PTI, Gambhir was not pleased with the Indian team’s star culture after the last two Test series debacles, home and away. He demanded greater authority in the team’s decision-making. It helped that Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar were on the same page as far as the Test team’s future was concerned.
With the new World Test Championship cycle beginning with the England tour, Gambhir made it clear that he wanted to have fresh faces in the Test team, moving on from seniors like Rohit and Kohli.
Gautam Gambhir Played a Key Role in Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma’s Test Retirement: Report X/BCCI
“The Gautam Gambhir era begins now. He was categorical that during the next WTC cycle, India need to have fresh faces,” said an unnamed BCCI source as quoted by PTI.
As per media reports, Gambhir is likely to push for Shubman Gill to become the next captain of the Indian Test team. The idea is simple. Unlike Rohit, Gill would be more open to implementing Gambhir’s tactics and decisions without much questioning.
Courtesy/Source: MensXP / PTI
