Former India cricketer Yograj Singh has strongly criticised the sudden retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket, calling it a missed opportunity to mentor the next generation. Speaking to Insider Sport, Singh said, “Virat and Rohit should have played for another five years to ensure a proper baton handover, just like Sourav Ganguly did. Instead, the baton has been thrown at Shubman Gill, not passed.”
Singh further revealed that he had advised Rohit to focus on fitness, recalling, “I told him to get up at 5 a.m. and run 20 km.” He believes both stalwarts had several more years to contribute to red-ball cricket.
🚨INSIDESPORT EXCLUSIVE🚨
YOGRAJ SINGH SAID:
“Virat & Rohit should have played for more 5 years in Test to make sure that the baton was passed to a youngster like Sourav Ganguly did. The baton has been thrown at Shubman Gill and not passed” pic.twitter.com/Al2VxHpXEN
— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) June 13, 2025
Kohli and Rohit announce retirement mid-IPL
The Test retirement announcements came as a surprise during the ongoing IPL 2025 season. Rohit Sharma, 38, was the first to retire, making his announcement on May 7: “Hello everyone, I would just like to share that I am retiring from Test cricket… I will continue in ODIs.”
Just five days later, Virat Kohli, 36, followed suit via a heartfelt social media post: “It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue. Test cricket tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I’ll carry for life. As I step away, it’s not easy—but it feels right.”
Their back-to-back exits marked the end of a golden era in Indian Test cricket. Kohli retires with 8,848 runs and 29 centuries, while Rohit finishes with 3,914 runs and a successful captaincy stint.
Leadership shift amid big shoes to fill
In their absence, the BCCI has named Shubman Gill, 25, as the new Test captain with Rishabh Pant as vice-captain. While cricket legends like Ricky Ponting and Gary Kirsten have lauded the new leadership, Yograj Singh feels the transition lacked structure. He compared it to how Sourav Ganguly had built and handed over a settled team to Rahul Dravid, a continuity he believes is missing now.
India’s upcoming five-Test home series against England, starting June 20, will be the team’s first major challenge without the iconic duo. The spotlight will now be on young stars like Gill, KL Rahul, and Yashasvi Jaiswal to carry the legacy forward.