Ravi Shastri reveals why Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma decided to retire from Test cricket

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri reckons nobody asked Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to retire from Test cricket, and it was their individual decision. While Rohit announced his retirement in an Instagram post on May 7, Kohli called time on his Test career on May 12.

Meanwhile, Kohli amassed 9230 runs in 123 Test matches at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries. In the last 69 Test innings since 2020, Kohli has managed only 2028 runs at an average of 30.72, including just three centuries.

Rohit played 67 Tests during an 11-year career, leading in 24 of them since taking over the reins of the team from Virat Kohli in 2022. He ends his career with a total of 4301 runs, including 12 centuries.

Shastri reckons Kohli and Rohit decided to hang up their boots from the red-ball format due to their poor form.

“Virat retired from Test Cricket, as did Rohit. They were not asked to retire. They went on their own. I would think it’s similar. If they’re not enjoying it, if the form is not good, you never know. They might pull the plug themselves,” Shastri said during his interaction with Fox Sports

On the other hand, Shastri reckons the veteran duo should keep playing in ODIs as long as they have the hunger to succeed at the top level.

Shastri said, “I also feel they feel they have got enough cricket in them. You know, it depends on how hungry you are, how fit you are, and whether that passion for the game is still there. With their experience, it’ll come in very handy. I would say take it one series at a time. It’s still a long way to go South Africa. Hopefully, if they have a good one here, that should keep them in good state of mind, thinking of South Africa.”

The first ODI between India and Australia will be played at Perth on Sunday.