 "Rohit Sharma was told by the BCCI to retire from Test cricket: Report")
In a surprising move, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Test cricket last week. A recent report by Dainik Jagran has claimed that Rohit was told well in advance by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that his Test career was effectively over.
Rohit made his Test retirement public at the same time the BCCI, along with selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar, was holding a meeting in Mumbai to discuss the future of the Indian team. The meeting was conducted to decide the squad for the England series and possibly Rohit’s successor.
BCCI wanted Rohit Sharma to retire
The report suggests that the board had informed Rohit after India’s disappointing 1-3 loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Australia earlier this year that he must step down from the longest format. The BCCI reportedly told Rohit that he was no longer part of India’s Test plans.
Rohit, who had already been struggling with his form, had even taken the decision to drop himself from the Sydney Test earlier in January. The decision surprised everyone as he had especially flown to Australia to take part in the series after missing out on the first Test due to the birth of his second child.
In terms of captaincy, Shubman Gill’s name has emerged as a potential successor to Rohit in the Test format. Gill, who has shown exceptional promise in limited-overs cricket, is now seen as one of the top contenders to take over the reins for India’s red-ball side. Rishabh Pant is expected to become the vice-captain.
Virat Kohli retires from Test cricket
Meanwhile, in another shocker, India batter Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday. Kohli took to his official Instagram handle to share the news with his friends and followers. Just like Rohit, Kohli will now only be available for selection in ODI cricket for India. Both players had hung up their boots in T20Is after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup.
India’s first challenge without the services of Ro-Ko in Tests will come against England. India are scheduled to play a five-match series against the Three Lions starting 24 June. It will mark the start of the new cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) for India.
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