Did BCCI pushed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to the test of the test? Rajeev Shukla answers
In a major development that has cleaned air around two of the largest stars in Indian cricket Cricket control advice in India (BCCI) Vice-president Rajeev Shukla has officially erased the position of the board of directors Virat Kohli And Rohit SharmaTest cricket retirement. With the fans still in shock from the advertisement calendar, just before the crucial tour in five Tests from India in England, speculation had been spread to find out if the board of directors or the selectors had pushed them to withdraw.
Rajeev Shukla erases the air on the retirement decisions of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
Speak during the visit of the India team to meet King Charles III At the Palais de St. James, Shukla categorically denied any interference and praised the two cricket players for their contributions. Kohli and Rohit had already left the T20i after victorious India World Cup T20 2024 Campaign, and their exit from the tests intervened in May 2025. The veteran duo will now be visible only in the ODIs, with the Champions Trophy 2025 and the bilateral series on the horizon. Shukla’s comments have resting weeks of theories surrounding their surprise test outings.
By putting months of speculation to rest, Shukla clarified that the BCCI did not bring itself to influence the retirement of Kohli and Rohit of test cricket. “We all feel the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli”, “ Shukla said by speaking to journalists in London. “But I want to make him very clear once and for all. The decision to retire was taken by Rohit and Virat by themselves. The BCCI has a clear policy that he does not say to any player when to withdraw from any format.”
The consecutive announcements of the two legends just in front of the England series had sparked conspiracy theories on the alleged pressure of selectors like Ajit Agarkar or the influence of the head coach Gautam Gambir. Shukla categorically rejected these rumors, adding, “They retired by themselves. We will always consider them as legendary strikers “,” Kohli had gone to Instagram to announce his red ball retirement after 123 tests, while Rohit, 38, moved away after 67 appearances.
#WATCH | London, United Kingdom | The vice-president of the BCCI, Rajeev Shukla, says: “… We all feel the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The decision to retire taken by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli was theirs. pic.twitter.com/4shzhng5w3
– Years (@ani) July 15, 2025
Read also: Shikhar Dhawan reveals how he used to pass his girlfriend in his room shared with Rohit Sharma
Kohli and Rohit focus on the ODIs; Always key to India’s white ball plans
Despite their retirement from tests and T20is, Kohli and Rohit remain determined to represent India in the ODIs. With the ICC Champions 2025 ICC trophy and a potential white ball visit to Australia and Sri Lanka Aligné, the duo’s experience will always be vital. “It is very good for us that both are available for ODIs”, “ Shukla noted, emphasizing their continuous value in the configuration of the 50 to 50.
Rohit, who scored 4301 points in 67 tests at an average of 40.57, experienced difficulties in his last series of red bullets against Australia, even moving from the last test in Sydney. Kohli, on the other hand, ended his test career on a stronger note with 9,230 points in 123 games, including 30 centuries and 31 years. The 50s ODI offers stability while India is based on another world title. The two played a decisive role in the World Cup races in India and will probably supervise young players in the next international matches.
Read also: Sri Lanka’s cricket is asking for the BCCI series for India; Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s Odi Return on Cards
