May 13, 2025

End of an Era: Kohli and Rohit Sign Off from Tests

In May 2025, Indian cricket fans were shocked. Two of India’s biggest stars, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, retired from Test cricket within the same week.

Their retirements mark the end of a very special era for India’s longest format of the game.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in Test match

🗓️ When Did They Announce It?

Rohit Sharma shared his retirement on May 7, 2025, on Instagram.
Virat Kohli announced his decision on May 12, 2025, also on Instagram.

Both will still play ODIs, but they’ve already stepped away from T20Is after India’s 2024 World Cup win.

🔥 Virat Kohli’s Test Journey

Matches	Runs	Avg	100s	Double 100s	Highest Score
123	9230	46.85	30	7	254*

Debuted in 2011.
Scored 30 centuries and 7 double centuries.
Famous for his aggressive style and top fitness.
Led India to its first Test series win in Australia in 2018–19.
Captained India in 68 Tests and won 40 of them.

Kohli scoring twin centuries in Adelaide

Fans and experts called him a true leader who gave everything for the team. Many said Kohli made them fall in love with Test cricket again.

🌟 Rohit Sharma’s Test Career

Matches	Runs	Avg	100s	Highest Score	Tests as Captain
67	4301	40.57	12	212	24

Started in 2013, became a regular opener from 2019.
Scored 12 Test centuries—all in matches India won.
Holds the record for most sixes in a Test match (13).
Captained India in 24 Tests, won 12.

Rohit Sharma celebrating century vs South Africa

He was known for being calm and smart as a captain. While Kohli was aggressive, Rohit was cool and steady.

🎯 Different Captaincy Styles

Kohli: Fierce, bold, and focused on fitness.
Rohit: Calm, clever, and team-first attitude.

Together, they shaped a winning Indian Test team over the past decade.

💬 How the World Reacted

When they retired, social media was full of emotional messages.

“Thank you for making us proud!” “A cricket fan in me died today.”

Fans holding banners thanking Kohli and Rohit

Players like Tendulkar, Vaughan, Karthik, and Gilchrist praised their contributions. Many said they inspired millions.

🧠 What Happens Next?

🏏 Who Replaces Them?

Rohit’s opening spot may go to Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Kohli’s No. 4 spot could be filled by Shubman Gill or KL Rahul.

Other young talents like Sai Sudharsan, Sarfaraz Khan, and Karun Nair are also in the mix.

🧢 Who Will Be the Next Captain?

Shubman Gill is the most likely option.
KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah are also possible names (though Bumrah’s fitness is a concern).

📈 Challenges and Opportunities

India’s next Test is a tough series against England in June 2025—without Kohli and Rohit for the first time in years.

But India has:

A strong bowling attack (Bumrah, Shami, Jadeja).
Young batsmen eager to prove themselves.

The team now has a chance to build a new era—inspired by the values these two legends left behind.

🏁 Final Thoughts

Rohit and Kohli gave fans memories that will last forever.

They led from the front, played match-winning innings, and built a culture of discipline and belief.

While it’s sad to see them leave the Test stage, it’s also the beginning of something exciting. Indian Test cricket is entering a new phase—and the future looks bright.