Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli : What An Innings To Remember

On May 7, the nation got two news that became the talking points for the day ahaed , First was  the  long–awaited news of the revenge for the cowardly terrorist attack that killed 26 tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir with the launch of Operation Sindoor by our armed forces . The second, was the retirement announcement from Test cricket by Rohit Sharma in midst of TataIPL 2025.

Operation Sindoor hogged the headlines , but Rohit Sharma’s  retirement too did not go unnoticed either.  Rohit  had in an interview  earlier said he was looking forward to the five- match Test series against England starting in June . And he expressed delight of having the  services of pace trio of  Shami, Siraj and Bumrah ( Shami missed the Australia series due to injury ) .  All looked perfect. Rohit  it was widely assumed would lead  India in the testing tour against Ben Stokes led England .

But suddenly  one  heard him announce his retirement  from the longer version of the game. At 38,  he was definetely not getting younger and in the new WTC cycle 2025 – 27, it was imperative that India  look to the  promising young talent in the cupboard . So it was perhaps right for the BCCI to make a bold move and  look beyond Rohit finally.  And their  reason  could well  be why not with the away  England series to begin with. A perfect stage for the  young to showcase their talent in bounce and seaming conditions in England.

Losing the BGT 2024 – 25 to Australia 3-1  added  pressure on him.  And desite the denials there were icy vibes with head coach Gautam Gambhir . A sharp contrast to the the camaredrie Rohit had  with his predecessor Head coach , batting legend Rahul Dravid. Hence  with these murmurs around , it  was asked  how long will Rohit lead the Test team?.  It  was bound to come sooner than later.

Given the  class player Rohit was , Iam sure he would be disappointed with the numbers in Tests. 11 years , 67 Tests,  he amassed 4,301 runs at an average of 40.57, with 12 centuries and 18 fifties. But Rohit was jut not numbers by any stretch of imagination. He was more than that. He  brought sheer joy  with his batting in the middle. Made batting look ridiculously easy and had all the time in the world to play his shots all-round the wicket.  His pull shot was played with utter disdain against any seam bowler. On his day he was imperious and bowler could do nothing excet watch ball dispatched  with ease and timing. It are these attributes one will miss going forward.

And unlike his fellow Mumbaikar ”God of cricket’ Sachin Tendulkar who was always my 100th Test, my 200th Test, my World Cup dream etc, Rohit was never an I.   It was always team first. This makes him all the more special. He kept his emotions in check but did gesture sometimes when things did not according to plan but had smile on his face too. It was after all a game. He was a captain who led from the front . Even if it was for short while as Test captain. So , whoever comes in Rohit’s place has a big shoes to fill. And wit will no easy walk.  Thank you Rohit Sharma for the great moments  you gave us with your sublime  batting.

On May 12, Barely five days days later, Indian cricket fans were in for another shock as Superstar ‘King Kohli’ as Virat Kohli is fondly called too announced his retirement  from the game’s longest format -Test cricket. Bringing an end to his glorious 14- year old career.  That saw him play 123 Tests,  scoring 9230 runs with 30 hundreds and 31 half centuries at an average of 46.85.

There is no douby whatsoever that Virat was India’s numero uno batsman after Sachin Tendulkar. He was the batting mainstay. Yes, his performance at the  BGT 2024-25 in Australia after starting with a ton did not finish the  way he wanted gave critics enough ammunition to target his future in Tests. And sensing the mood , Virat aarently expressed his desire to quit Tests and had reportedly informed the BCCI of his move. Which he would announce later on his Instagram handle.

Unlike Rohits cool demenour and steely will  , Virat  was a complete diffrent character. He  was always battle ready and ready to on the rivals with his aggressive, exressive and yes demonstrative approach. An attitude that rankled purists of the game who lamented his sometime over the top gestures while celebrating  fall of a wicket or  a  win. But he did not care. That’s the way he played – with aggression and intensity in all formats . Crowd loved it . It was the quintessesssitial Virat Kohli .

Virat was sort of  a player whose body language suggested everytime when he walked into the middle – come one iam ready.  His eyes intense, running between the wickets hard, punishing the bad balls with ease  . And launching those  gorgeous treat for the eyes cover drives with class, timing , power. There was nothing like Virat Kohli in full flow . Absolute master !. He would dominate the bowlers straight away. Yes James Anderson troubled him with his swing , but then which batsman was not in the game ? . Glenn McGrath made life miserable for Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Michael Atherton did’nt he  ?. So why single out Virat only . It’s a  game.

Virat’s all- round game was possible due to his  superb fitness regimen. He worked hard on it and raised the bar for the others to emulate.  That Indian fielding  was one of the best  was due to the  fitness mantra by Virat . Virat was  a fierce competitor and this  India will miss surely.  Onus now on the young guns to fill into his  giant shoes. Virat leaves a  legacy hard to  match.

The twin retirements of legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli surprised their team- mates and rivals alike. And the kind of rich tributes that had flooded X for them is a true reflection how much they had an impact on the game and how much they will be missed.  Every team goes through transition, India is no different.   So it will be a challenge and interesting to see as to who replaces these two icons from their batting postions  in England. Nation awaits with bated breath.