The two cornerstones of Indian cricket are Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Before a last hurrah in England, nobody anticipated that they would give up in the game's longest format. Indeed, both batters, who had frequently won Tests for India, found the runs difficult to come by, but one would have anticipated the seasoned professionals to take one last visit to England in an effort to win a series and make history. Despite coming agonizingly close in 2021–2022, Virat and Rohit were unable to lead India to a series victory in the UK since 2007. Ultimately, the rescheduled Test at Edgbaston resulted in a loss for India.

At long last, on Tuesday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) addressed the issue of whether the organization pressured Rohit and Kohli to quit Tests. Rajeev Shukla, Vice-President of the BCCI, put an end to all speculation by stating that the decision to retire is up to the player alone and that nobody in the cricket association can compel him to make it.

The first player to retire from Tests was Rohit Sharma. In the longest format, he announced his resignation in an Instagram Story. In 67 Tests for India, the right-handed batsman, who turned 38 in April of this year, accumulated 4301 runs at an average of 40.57.

The home series against New Zealand and the away series against Australia were challenging for Rohit. Rohit himself made the decision to withdraw from the final Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia in Sydney because of the heat of the run.

In contrast, Virat Kohli posted a lengthy Instagram message announcing his retirement from Test cricket. The batter claims to have given it his all, but he believes it's time for the next generation to take the helm. After 123 Tests, 30 hundreds, and 31 half-centuries, Kohli eventually put an end to his Test career with 9230 runs.

In the first game of the series against Australia in Perth, Kohli scored a hundred. The 36-year-old's performance declined thereafter, though, as he continued to pursue deliveries that were pitched outside off-stump. In the last Test in Sydney, Kohli was once more caught in the slip cordon, and this time he even broke his pad.

Rumor mills were working nonstop after the couple announced their retirement in advance of the England trip. Their unexpected retirement was rumored to have been influenced by the head coach, Gautam Gambhir, the chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, and the BCCI.

But speaking to the news agency ANI in London, Shukla refuted all of these assertions, affirming that the experienced hitters will continue to be available for ODIs.

“I would like to be absolutely clear on this matter once and for all. We are all missing Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. On their own, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma made the decision to retire. BCCI policy dictates that we never urge a player to retire. They made the decision, Shukla said.

"They have retired on their own." We will always love them. We will always see them as legendary hitters. It is beneficial to us that both of them are available for ODIs, he continued.

India's performance in England has been respectable.

Shubman Gill is leading a young Indian team in England, and they are performing well despite the absence of Virat, Rohit, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Given that the Ben Stokes-led team was anticipated to face little opposition from the opposing side, Gill and company are not giving up without a fight, much to everyone's delight.

Although India may be trailing 1-2 in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, everyone is aware that the visitors have had more dominant sessions than England throughout the series.

Despite a valiant effort from Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj, the Lord's Test was decided at the last minute, and England ultimately triumphed, winning the match by 22 runs.

The fourth Test between England and India will now be in Manchester, starting on Wednesday, July 23.

Read Also: Lawrence: My Dad’s Draft Moment Was Comedy Gold

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!