'Want to see them retire on the field...': India spinner calls out BCCI's 'shocking' treatment towards Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli shocked the cricketing world by announcing sudden retirements from Test cricket earlier this year in May. The duo called time on their respective Test careers just weeks before the India's five-match red-ball assignment against England even though it was expected that will play important roles in the series.

What was even more surprising was the fact that both Rohit and Virat didn't play a farewell Test despite their incredible contributions for India in the format. The criticism soon shifted towards BCCI for not properly manging the duo's retirement.

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Now, out-of-favour India spinner Ravi Bishnoi has admitted of being 'shocked' after seeing Rohit and Virat not retire on the field. Notably, both of them let the world know about their decision through social media posts.

"It is actually shocking, because you always want to see them retire from the field. For such big legends, you want them to leave while still being on the field, that looks much better. And what both of them have done for India, in my view, there is no one even close," Bishnoi said on Game Changers podcast.

"You want them to get a good farewell, but maybe they will get that in ODIs as well whenever they leave, whenever they want to. Because no one can tell you when you will retire. But it was shocking when both of them retired, because suddenly you feel like two spots have become empty, who will come and fulfill that?" he added.

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The Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in 2024/25 proved to be Rohit and Virat's last Test assignment for India. Though the duo weren't able to perform well with the bat during the five-match series, no one had expected the two to retire from the format soon after.

Rohit and Virat likely to make ODI return

Meanwhile, the duo are likely to be seen in action during the three-match ODI series against Australia which is set to commence from October 19. This will be their first international assignment since the ICC Champions Trophy and their first competitive assignment since IPL 2025.