As Indian cricket steps into a new chapter following the retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin, former India batting coach Vikram Rathour has opened up about the emotional void their departure has left behind. While acknowledging that retirement is a deeply personal decision, Rathour admitted that he wished the trio had continued playing a little longer.

“They were phenomenal cricketers and still had a lot to offer. But if they’ve decided to move on, that choice deserves respect,” he said.

The exit of Kohli and Rohit from the Test arena came after months of speculation. Both legends struggled for form during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia. Kohli began the series with a century in Perth but failed to build on it, finishing with just 190 runs from nine innings.

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Rohit’s dip was even steeper—he managed only 31 runs from five innings and chose to sit out the final Test at the SCG, citing poor form. The writing was already on the wall, especially for Rohit, who, at 38, was unlikely to continue as captain for the England tour in June, which kicks off the new World Test Championship cycle.

He announced his Test retirement on May 7, and in a surprising move, Kohli followed just five days later. Kohli’s decision came as a shock to many, considering he was still believed to have a few good years left in red-ball cricket.

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However, his sustained dip in form and the toll of expectations seemingly pushed him toward stepping away. Now, both Kohli and Rohit have bid adieu to Test and T20I cricket, with their eyes likely set on one final hurrah—leading India to ODI glory in the 2027 World Cup.