Will Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli follow R Ashwin into Test retirement in 2025?

New Delhi: Rohit Sharma has consistently embraced responsibility, particularly since taking over as India’s captain across all formats in March 2022. He made it his mission to lead from the front in white-ball cricket and remained firm in his approach, even when things didn’t go as planned, like in the 50-over World Cup final against Australia.

In the longer format, Rohit Sharma has not been as innovative as a captain or as impactful as a batsman, especially since the beginning of the current season. India has lost four of their last five Tests under his leadership, including three at home against New Zealand, and his personal performance has been far from outstanding. Following Ravichandran Ashwin’s sudden retirement from international cricket after the Brisbane Test on Wednesday, speculation has started regarding what lies ahead for both Rohit and Virat Kohli.

Rohit Sharma’s sole half-century in his last 13 innings came in mid-October against New Zealand in Bengaluru. Apart from that knock, his bat has been worryingly silent. The combination of disappointing results and a lack of significant scores has intensified the pressure on him. Just as he took responsibility in Bengaluru for his decision to bat first, which led to his team’s collapse to 46 all out, he also admitted after the draw at the Gabba that he must improve his performance.

At the same time, Rohit held forth on why he believes a turnaround isn’t far away. “I have not batted well, there is no harm in accepting that,” he observed. “But I know what is in my mind, how I am preparing myself. All those boxes are very much ticked. It is just about spending as much time as possible – I am pretty sure I am just there. As long as my mind, my body, my feet are moving well, I’m pretty happy with how things are panning out. It’s been a while since I’ve got big runs, but I’m feeling good about myself.”

Retirement is a deeply personal decision, and no one has the authority to force it upon someone. Ashwin chose to retire on his own terms, stepping away during a series with two matches still to play. While Rohit can’t be pushed or pressured into making the call, the selectors have the right to hold him accountable if needed. India’s prospects of reaching the World Test Championship final for the third consecutive cycle are precariously thin, with the next cycle beginning with a five-Test series in England in June. The upcoming two Tests in Australia will significantly influence the direction ahead—whether Rohit stays on to help transition to a new captain, or if the decision-makers believe it’s time for a fresh start with new leadership and a new approach.

Clock ticking for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
Rohit is fully aware that he needs to make significant contributions to the Test runs tally. If he fails to do so, despite his likable nature, he risks being sidelined. Similarly, Virat Kohli, whom he replaced as captain, is facing growing scrutiny. Kohli’s second-innings century in Perth, which came after Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul had already laid the foundation, is starting to be seen as an isolated performance rather than a sign of consistent form.

They believe that a dismissal is a dismissal, regardless of how it occurs. Rohit has been dismissed in three different ways this series, to three distinct types of deliveries. However, Kohli has fallen victim to the classic delivery outside the off-stump that he can’t resist chasing. Whether this is due to a desire to make contact with the ball or an urge to assert control over the bowler is a matter for discussion. What’s undeniable is that Kohli has regressed to his toughest period as a Test player, reminiscent of the 2014 tour of England, when he was repeatedly caught behind the stumps, scoring just 134 runs in ten innings. In fact, he has now been dismissed in this manner four times in the past four weeks.

While Virat Kohli may be younger and in better physical condition than Rohit, that doesn’t absolve him from responsibility. He understands that he needs to start contributing more consistently, and soon. If he doesn’t, the selectors and team management will be compelled to evaluate the future direction. India will not want to lose both of their top batters simultaneously, but that decision will depend entirely on the performances of both players in the next two Tests over the coming three weeks.