The stunning collapse of the Indian cricket team during their colossal 549-run chase against South Africa in Guwahati has intensified an already volatile debate about the state of the nation's Test setup. As India stares down the barrel of an unprecedented second home Test series whitewash in just over a year, a fresh, explosive claim has injected politics into the crisis.

The claim came from an unexpected source: Vikas Kohli, brother of former captain Virat Kohli, who, in a now-deleted series of social media posts, appeared to question the selection committee and head coach Gautam Gambhir, suggesting that both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were "removed" from the Test team.

The Crisis Point: India’s Lost Home Dominance

The timing of the comment could not be more critical. From 2012 to late 2024, India built an almost impenetrable fortress at home, establishing a decade-long run without losing a single home Test series. This era of dominance, largely underpinned by the leadership and batting of Kohli and the experienced core of Rohit and Ashwin, has now completely unravelled.

India’s recent home Test losses, including a whitewash against New Zealand last year and the current one against South Africa, are historic and deeply concerning. As fans revisit the golden decade of home invincibility, the central question resurfaces: How could a team that was once the undisputed world-beater in its own backyard decline so rapidly in a format they once owned?

The Explosive Claim: Were the Veterans 'Removed'?

The sudden retirement of both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket in May 2025—shortly before a major overseas tour—sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. While officially termed retirements, the timing and the simultaneous nature of the announcements from two of the team's biggest stars instantly triggered speculation of underlying issues.

Vikas Kohli's posts, though quickly removed, lend credence to the theory that their exits were not entirely voluntary. Critics, including former cricketers, have pointed to the tumultuous environment and a major shift in selection philosophy under the new leadership group. The push for multi-skilled players and all-rounders, even at the cost of specialist batters and the removal of veteran spinner R. Ashwin, has been a major point of contention.

The allegation suggests that the selection decisions, driven by coach Gautam Gambhir and the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar, effectively pushed the senior players out, creating the very instability that is now costing the team dearly.

Selection or Sabotage: Accelerating the Decline?

The root of the current Test turmoil, according to growing public and expert opinion, lies in muddled selection and strategy. The continuous chopping and changing in the batting order, the lack of clarity over roles, and the sudden vacuum left by the 'retired' stalwarts have created a significant experience gap.

When comparing the current struggles to the era of Kohli and Rohit, the contrast is stark. The previous setup relied on a core group of proven Test specialists who prioritized resilience and stability. The current system appears to be in chaos, unable to convert strong starts or handle pressure chases, especially when the pitches are not tailor-made square turners.

The question is no longer about the technical skill of the new players, but about the strategic vision of the management. If a decision was made to prematurely phase out two of India's greatest-ever Test batters, purely for the sake of an unproven "transition," then the current series defeats are not merely bad luck—they are the predictable consequence of a deeply flawed selection policy. The social media eruption following Vikas Kohli's post serves as a powerful testament to the widespread belief that internal politics may have indeed accelerated India’s decline in its most beloved format.
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