Team India lost the fourth test in BGT 2024-25 by 184 runs. With that loss, their chances of reaching the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 were pushed even further. After this humiliating loss, the fans and experts are calling for the retirement of the two great batters of Indian cricket, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both batters have not been in great form for a while and have not made much impact in the longest format of the game.
Fans worldwide want Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to take retirement from tests because of their poor show. Experts and former cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri think the same. Today, we will talk about the possibility of the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli after the Sydney test. So let’s start.
India Lost The MCG Test, Slims WTC 2025 Final Chances
Team India lost the Melbourne test in BGT 2024-25 and slims down the chances of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC ) Final 2025.
The Gabba test affected the match by a lot of rain and bad light. India came into the Boxing Day test with much hope, with the series still at 1-1. But, a poor show overall by Team India costs them a test match and now they cannot win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 (BGT 2024-25).
Australia won the toss for the first time in the series and decided to bat first. Sam Konstas, a youngster who replaced Nathan McSweeney made an immediate effect in his debut inning. He played and missed a few shots initially, but as soon as he connected one, he didn’t look back.
Smith’s Hundred Helped Australia To Post A Big Total
Steve Smith made another hundred in the series and helped AUS to reach 474 in the first inning. He scored 140 runs and stitched a few crucial partnerships with Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, and Pat Cummins.
Reddy, Sundar Steadied The Ship For India
It could have been even worse for Team India when they were 221-7 at one stage. Thanks to Reddy’s 100 and Sundar’s 50 India keeps the first-inning deficit down to 105.
Australia was also in trouble when Bumrah ran through their middle order, but Cummins, Lyon, and Boland’s resistance along with Labuschagne’s another fifty helped AUS to go past 330 run lead.
Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli Failed Again, Yashasvi Tried His Best
When India came out to bat, the fans were hoping for a miracle that they did in Gabba a few years ago. But, it was never going to be easy for them. Rohit Sharma, the Indian skipper again failed to play big inning. He only scored 9 runs off 40 balls. Rahul got out to a good ball to Cummins and then Virat Kohli again chased a wide one off Starc. India were 33 for 3 at lunch.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant steadied the ship for India and played out a wicket-less post-lunch session. But, as soon as AUS found an opening after Rishabh’s wicket, their bowlers found a way to keep the Indian batters under pressure.
Will Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli Retire After Sydney Test?
India has one game left in the series in Sydney. A new year test could be the last one for the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma. Not just the fans, but a few experts like Ravi Shastri think that it is time for him to call time in tests.
“At the top of the order, you know, just feel the footwork isn’t the same. He’s probably at times, late in meeting the ball so it’s his call at the end of the series.” – Shastri said on Rohit Sharma.
As far as Virat Kohli is concerned, he has one century to show in the series. He also looked good in his 36 runs inning in the first inning of the MCG test. But, he hasn’t made much impact in the longest format of the game for a while. He has been inconsistent in tests for the last few years.
Ravi Shastri thinks that Virat might play for 3-4 years more. Some fans would also want both the batters to call time from their test careers. They can’t see their superstars like this again and again.
Speculation Surrounds Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli’s Test Career Amid Retirement Buzz”
Speculation & rumors surround the media, but there is some truth to it. Rohit Sharma playing test cricket after Sydney looks highly unlikely. There are even rumors that he might quit test cricket after the MCG test only. But he hasn’t made any announcement in the press conference.
As far as Virat Kohli, it all depends on how much he is mentally ready to manage his family and cricket together. His fitness is top-class, the only problem we can see with him is how motivated he is to play test cricket. If everything doesn’t go right, we might also see Virat playing his last test in Sydney.