Former India captain and ex-chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth has voiced his disappointment over the way Indian stalwarts Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Cheteshwar Pujara exited Test cricket. According to him, the trio, who carried Indian batting for over a decade, deserved a more dignified farewell. Instead, their retirements came as a surprise, sparking criticism of the BCCI’s communication with senior players.
The cricketing fraternity was left stunned in May when Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two modern icons of Indian cricket, announced their Test retirements within a span of five days. Their exits were shocking, as both were expected to be part of India’s five-Test tour of England. Rohit first broke the news via an Instagram post in the middle of the IPL, catching fans and even teammates off guard. Shortly after, Kohli followed with his own announcement, bringing an end to a glittering Test career.
Neither player was accorded a farewell Test, a gesture usually reserved for legends of the game. This raised eyebrows about whether the BCCI failed to plan their send-offs. Krishnamachari Srikkanth, visibly frustrated, pointed out that stalwarts who have carried Indian cricket on their shoulders deserved to bow out in front of packed stadiums, not through Instagram statements.
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“If you play 100 Tests for your country, you must be a terrific cricketer. You deserve a proper send-off,” Krishnamachari Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel. “I am convinced there was a big communication gap when Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired. They should have been spoken to, but instead, this is not a good look for Indian cricket.”
Highlighting Kohli’s stature, Krishnamachari Srikkanth stressed that the batting maestro still had at least two years of Test cricket left in him. Kohli’s retirement, he argued, felt sudden and unfinished. “Virat Kohli’s retirement happened just like that. He deserved a better send-off. India will struggle to find another cricketer like him anytime soon,” he added.
Kohli’s Test career is the stuff of legend. Over 14 years, he featured in 123 Tests, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries and seven double hundreds. He retired only 770 runs short of the 10,000-run milestone, further cementing his status as one of India’s finest red-ball batters. Rohit Sharma, who captained India from 2022 onwards, finished with 4,301 runs in 67 Tests at an average of 40.57. His record included 12 centuries and notable wins as skipper, though his retirement too came without the traditional farewell.
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Krishnamachari Srikkanth also turned his attention to Cheteshwar Pujara, India’s Test specialist who recently announced his retirement. “Even Pujara should have been given a chance for a farewell Test. Of course, the player also has to cooperate, but this is where selectors and the BCCI must coordinate better,” he remarked.
While their Test journeys have ended, fans can still see Kohli and Rohit in action, as both are set to feature in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia beginning October 19.
