Mon May 12 07:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Indian Cricket Suffers Double Blow as Kohli and Sharma Retire from Test Cricket

**New Delhi, [Date]** – In a stunning double blow to Indian cricket, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have both announced their retirement from Test matches within five days of each other. This leaves Ravindra Jadeja as the only senior player with over 60 Test appearances remaining in the squad, raising serious questions about the team’s future.

Kohli, who announced his retirement via Instagram, was a mainstay at number four and a highly experienced member of the team. His absence creates a significant gap in the middle order, a void that five contenders are vying to fill.

Sharma’s retirement, announced on May 7th, leaves a vacancy at the opening position he held for the past six years. KL Rahul, who opened with Yashasvi Jaiswal during the Australia tour, is a likely candidate to take over permanently, along with the potential return of Shubman Gill to the opening slot. Four other young players are also competing for the position.

With Kohli and Sharma’s departures, Jadeja is the sole senior player remaining with over 12 years of experience. However, there is speculation that even he might be sidelined in the coming years, following the pattern seen with Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. Other experienced players like Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, and Wriddhiman Saha were also phased out before retirement.

The focus has shifted towards younger players, and even the number one all-rounder Jadeja’s position is not secure. News agency PTI suggests that Shubman Gill may be appointed captain, and Rishabh Pant vice-captain, with Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness making a leadership role unlikely for him. A BCCI source indicated that if Bumrah doesn’t become captain, there’s no point in making him vice-captain.

India’s upcoming five-Test series against England, starting June 20th, will be the first series of the new World Test Championship cycle and will be played under new leadership. The Indian squad is expected to be announced by May 23rd.

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