“Thought They Might Call It A Day After England Tests”: Ex-India Star On Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli’s Retirement

Former Indian Cricket Player Dilip Vengsarkar expressed his retirement from the pillars of strikers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the test cricket, declaring that he had thought that the duo could call him a day after the next tour in England, scheduled to start on June 20. Rohit and Kohli withdrew test cricket earlier this month when it continued his careers in Odis. Their departure left a huge void in the Indian test team before the new world testing championship cycle (WTC) starting with the very important Tower of England.

“The two have exceptional and exceptional cricket players, and their contribution to the Indian cricket is huge. I was surprised because there is a tour in England of five test games. I thought that after the tour in England, they could call it one day, but they preferred it before the tour in England. Then, I think it’s their call,” said Vengsarkar.

Kohli has submitted goodbye to his test career with 9,230 points in 123 games to an impressive average of 46.85 with 30 centuries and 31 half-century, while Rohit attracted curtains to his red ball career with 4301 points in 67 games, including 12 centuries and 18 half-century, on average 40.57.

In June 2024, Rohit and Kohli announced their T20IS retirement after India beat South Africa to win the Male T20 World Cup 2024.

“The two are experienced players, and they have succeeded so well in England on each tour, so it’s a big loss. Then, if you see that other players have done a team for India, in the first class cricket in India, they will have the opportunity to play and settle in the Indian team,” he added.

Rohit’s retirement means that a new skipper will be in place for the Indian team during their tour in England for a series of five -game tests from June 20.

Asked who will fill the void left in the installation of Indian test crickets with the departure of Rohit and Kohli, Vengasarkar said: “It is difficult to say who will replace them because it belongs to the FC (Ajit Agarkar) and Co. matches as selectors.

VENGASARKAR then praised on Shreyas Iyer for its current form. Iyer managed an outing with the Champions 2025 Champions Trophy in March, scoring 243 points in five games with an average of 48.60. He brought his beautiful shape in IPL 2025, where he led his side (Punjab Kings) from the front while PBKS reached the playoffs for the first time in 11 years.

In the process, Iyer became the first captain to carry out three different franchises in the IPL qualifiers (Capitals de Delhi in 2020 and Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024). The counting of the points of Iyer in IPL 2025 is currently at 435, including two half-years.

“He is a good player, there is no doubt about it and he has done very well over the years, he is an experienced player,” said the veteran to ask him if the current Iyer form can help him fill the void created after Kohli’s retirement from T20i and test formats.

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