Former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Smith has shared his perspective on the shocking Test retirement decision of Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and batting great Virat Kohli. The duo announced their retirement from the longest format of the game in May 2025 before the five-Test match series against England.
In the exclusive conversation with Sports Tak, Dwayne Smith reckons that the absence of inner drive might have influenced their call.
"I think most guys, when they're not feeling that urge or that burning sensation that you want to play and play hard cricket, I think when that is gone, it's when you know that you've got to give up on it" Dwayne Smith told Sports Tak on the sidelines of the Champions League T10 tennis ball tournament happening in Noida.
Smith, who himself retired from international and regional 50-overs cricket in early 2017, primarily because he felt he had fallen out of favour with the selectors, also added context from his own career.
"My situation was different. I had a lot of things going against me with selection and all that. So I think at the time I did it, it was the right time. Some people say not that it was wrong, but I think it was at the right time because they were just messing around with me" added Dwayne Smith
The duo have already retired from T20Is and Tests and is currently preparing for the three-match ODI series against Australia, which is scheduled to start from October 19. Rohit and Virat's last international outing came in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where unbeaten India defeated New Zealand in the final at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai to win their first ICC ODI title in 12 years.
Dwayne Smith on West Indies Cricket downfall
West Indies cricket, which used to be a dominant force in world cricket, has experienced a massive downfall. The side recently suffered a massive loss against Australia. Smith said that he is ready to come up and help the youngsters.
"It's something that we really need to work on, and I'm sure that the guys will work on getting that but if I had to do anything with it I would definitely look at the younger guys coming up and try to get and form teams from there. You know the different formats, you pick guys out and you put them together and you work with them" Smith also said.