ormer India head coach and cricketing legend Anil Kumble was surprised by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's Test retirement within a few days. He believes that the duo and Ravichandran Ashwin, who announced retirement last year, deserved a farewell with a ‘proper send-off’ on the field.
Spin legend Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket in Australia during the middle of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in December. Rohit called it a day for the longest format of the game on May 7, while Kohli followed him only five days later, on May 12, during the break in IPL 2025 due to the cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan.
“It is a very quiet exit," Kumble said on ESPNcricinfo. “Every player deserves to leave on his terms, but I think on the field. We spoke about this when R Ashwin retired as well, right in the middle of the series he announced his retirement and came back (to India from Australia). Right now, Rohit Sharma a few days ago and then Virat Kohli. I think all three of them deserved a proper send off on the field. I strongly believe people who matter need to address that. I know it is a social media age, yes the fans want to be there, there would have been plenty of fans and have a roaring send off."
Kumble believes that the duo Rohit and Kohli announced early retirement, the duo can represent India in whites for a few more years.
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“It is a huge surprise. Two outstanding, great players retiring on the back of few days. I didn’t see it coming. It has certainly caught me off guard. I thought he has a few more years left in him, especially at the Test level," Kumble said. “He’s playing only the ODI format now. No player leaves with any regret and I am sure he would have thought through this and ultimately it is the player’s call," he added.
Rohit and Virat's decision to announce retirement from the longest format of the game came before the five-Test match series against England which is scheduled to start from June 20 and there are reports that Shubman Gill will lead the side in the upcoming red-ball assignment in England.