The retirement of batting mainstays Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket surprised former Indian cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar, who said he had expected them to do so during the next England trip, which starts on June 20.

Earlier this month, both Rohit and Kohli announced their retirements from Test cricket, although they will still play in ODIs. As the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle begins with the pivotal England visit, their departure has left a big hole in the Indian Test squad.

“Both have made significant contributions to Indian cricket and have been exceptional and excellent players. The five Test matches on the England trip caught me off guard. They decided to retire before the England trip, which surprised me since I assumed they may do so after it. They made the choice,” Vengsarkar told IANS.

With an outstanding average of 46.85 and 9,230 runs in 123 games, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, Kohli concluded his Test career. At an average of 40.57, Rohit finished his red-ball career with 4,301 runs in 67 games, including 12 hundreds and 18 half-centuries.

Following India’s victory over South Africa in the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup, Rohit and Kohli declared their retirement from Twenty20 Internationals in June 2024.

It’s a significant loss since both players are seasoned veterans who have excelled in England on each visit. But now, other players who have performed well in India A and Indian first-class cricket will get the chance to play and make a name for themselves in the Indian squad,” he said.

Due to Rohit’s retirement, the Indian side will be captained by a new player for the five-match Test series in England that begins on June 20.

Vengsarkar said, “It is difficult to say who will replace them because it is up to the selectors (Ajit Agarkar and his team),” when asked who may step in to fill the vacuum created by Rohit and Kohli’s retirement from Indian Test cricket. It is their choice, and they are watching first-class matches (Irani Cup, Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy).

Shreyas Iyer’s present form was also commended by Vengsarkar. Iyer scored 243 runs at an average of 48.60 in five games during his impressive batting performance in the Champions Trophy 2025 in March. He carried on his excellent performance into the 2025 Indian Premier League, helping his side, the Punjab Kings, qualify for the playoffs for the first time in eleven years.

Iyer made history by being the first skipper to guide three separate teams into the IPL playoffs (Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024, Delhi Capitals in 2020). Iyer presently has 435 runs in the IPL 2025, with two half-centuries.

There is no denying that he is a talented player, and his performance throughout the years has been excellent. When asked whether Iyer’s current form may assist in replacing the vacuum created by Kohli’s departure from the T20I and Test formats, Vengsarkar said, “He is an experienced player.”