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Was Agarkar Responsible for Rohit & Kohli's Test Retirements? Chief Selector Breaks Silence

MENSXP October 19, 2025 02:39 AM

On May 7, Rohit Sharma left the world of cricket in shock when he called it a day from Test cricket. Barely had the news sunk in when on May 12, Virat Kohli also called time on his Test career. Both players had already quit T20Is and now only ODIs were left. There was a lot of talk of it being a forced retirement and coach Gautam Gambhir was suspected to be involved. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar too was believed to have had a role in it.

Ajit Agarkar Comes Clean About Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Test Retirements

After many months, Agarkar has finally broken his silence about what really happened. Speaking to NDTV, the former Indian pacer revealed that both Rohit and Kohli had been approached about their Test futures and both took the call themselves to call it a day. He also said that the choice was theirs and that should be the end of it.

"Both of them have been stalwarts of Indian cricket. They both approached. They felt it is a new WTC cycle, whatever people might think or not think. That's the reality. Both were very aware. Perhaps, they may not have gone for those two years as Test players in the WTC cycle," he said.

"England was a series where we would have loved some experience. The performance was incredible even though we didn't win. We would have liked some experience. But, they had made their decisions. Once you have played for as long as they have and they are sure about their decision—to walk away from a particular format—you have got to respect that," he added.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Down Under

Both Rohit and Kohli last played Tests for India on the tour of Australia. Midway through that series Ravichandran Ashwin quit international cricket and went home. At the moment ‘King’ and ‘Hitman’ are in Australia where they will take part in the three-match ODI series starting on October 19.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Almost Done with International Cricket

Rohit is 38 and has played for 18 years while Kohli is closing in on 37 and has been around for 17 years. Both face a race against time, fitness, form and luck to be fit for the 2027 ODI World Cup. They are also nearing the end of their international careers. When they do walk off into the sunset, the void will be hard to fill in Indian cricket and the world of cricket in general.