Sachin Tendulkar breaks silence on Virat Kohli’s shocking Test retirement: 'He shouldn't have...'"

Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar has finally broken his silence on his compatriot, one of the modern-day greats, Virat Kohli, announcing his retirement from the longest format of the game last month—an announcement that came as a shocker for the cricketing world. Kohli’s sudden departure from red-ball cricket came shortly after Rohit Sharma’s exit, who had already declared his Test retirement before the selection of India’s squad for the ongoing England series.

Kohli, who donned the Indian whites in 123 Tests, amassed 9,230 runs at an impressive average of 46.85, with 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries to his name. His farewell to Test cricket was made through a heartfelt social media post, where he reflected on his 14-year journey and thanked fans for their unwavering support.

Sachin Tendulkar opens up on Virat Kohli’s shocking call

As the Indian team heads to England for an important Test series, the absence of two modern stalwarts—Kohli and Rohit—has left a noticeable void. And while the cricketing fraternity had much to say about Virat Kohli’s decision, many were waiting to hear from the man he once idolized—Sachin Tendulkar. Now, ahead of the England tour, Tendulkar has finally shared his thoughts on the 35-year-old’s retirement.

Speaking to BBC Sports, the Master Blaster addressed the moment with empathy and caution, refusing to pass judgment. “It's a personal decision. So you know it is easy for an outsider to just pass a loose comment and say, then OK, he shouldn't have done whatever that maybe,” Sachin Tendulkar said.

The 50-year-old emphasized that only the individual knows what they’re truly going through—physically and mentally—when it comes to making such a monumental decision.

“An individual understands the state of mind, how the body is responding to the longer format of the game. And it's a personal decision, so it wouldn't be right for me to, you know, make any comment on that,” he added.

Virat Kohli’s Test retirement followed his decision to step away from T20Is after India’s victorious 2024 World Cup campaign. Now, with only ODIs possibly left in his playing career, the cricketing world is adjusting to an Indian team without two of its longest-serving icons.

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma, who led India during the Australia tour and briefly opted out of the fifth Test, has announced his exit from red-ball cricket but will continue leading the ODI team till the 2027 World Cup.

Sachin Tendulkar’s response was a balanced take—free from criticism but rich in understanding—reminding everyone that behind every retirement is a deeply personal journey that only the player can truly grasp. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli will continue to represent India in ODIs.