Is the Retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Imminent?
The prospect of Indian cricket icons Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring from Test cricket seems increasingly likely. With just 50 days left until the 50-over Champions Trophy, speculation looms over whether the two stalwarts will step away from the longer format after the series in Australia or make a more dramatic announcement soon.
Veteran commentator Jim Maxwell, who had previously critiqued Kohli’s wavering mental discipline and Rohit’s decline in form, struck a more reflective tone following their latest performances. “There has been a shoulder barge here and there, and luckily, Kohli had that century at Perth. But my takeaway isn’t from this series—it’s the memories of what he’s done here in the past. As for Rohit, we Australians haven’t seen his best in Tests, and sadly, he seems past his peak,” Maxwell said.
A Glimpse of Rohit’s Former Self
On the fourth day of the Test, Rohit began promisingly, showing brief glimpses of his earlier finesse. In the fourth over, his footwork came to life, and he got off the mark with a controlled stroke in the fifth over. His initial play against Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc hinted at determination, as he worked hard to adjust to the pitch.
A moment of brilliance came in the 11th over when Rohit punched a wobbling seamer from Cummins crisply to mid-off. Though it yielded no run, it was a rare flash of the talent that once made him a formidable batsman. However, after the drinks break, his rhythm faltered. A full delivery from Cummins in the channel outside off tempted Rohit into an ambitious flick across the line. The ball straightened just enough to catch the edge, ending his innings and leaving a sense of inevitability about his decline.
Kohli Follows Suit
KL Rahul’s quick dismissal brought Virat Kohli to the crease, greeted by a mix of boos from Australian fans and chants of “Kohli, Kohli” from the Indian crowd. Yet, Kohli’s innings ended in disappointment. In the final over before lunch, Mitchell Starc baited him with a full delivery wide outside off, a ploy that Kohli fell for despite its predictability. His attempt at a booming drive resulted in a nick, leaving India reeling and raising questions about Kohli’s mental discipline in critical moments.
The End of an Era?
R. Ashwin has already retired mid-series, leaving behind the question of what Kohli and Rohit will decide. Rohit, who teased Test greatness but never quite fulfilled his potential, and Kohli, one of the modern game’s greatest Test players, now face the prospect of stepping aside. With one Test left in Sydney and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy still within reach, will the two legends give themselves a final moment in the sun, or is their farewell already at hand?
The curtain seems to be falling on an extraordinary chapter of Indian cricket. Whether it closes with a final bow in Sydney or a sudden announcement, the end feels closer than ever.
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