Gautam Gambhir Kicked Out Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma From India’s Test Side? Report Drops Bombshell

A couple of days ago, the former Indian captain, Rohit Sharma, announced his retirement from the longest format immediately before reports revealed Virat Kohli's wish to call it a time from the five-day format before the England tour.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has received two shocking news before their selection meeting a couple of weeks later to pick the red-ball squad for the five-match Test series in England. It will be the start of the third cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC 2025).

Reports disclose the Indian coach and selectors’ decision on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

A few reports claimed that Rohit had a meeting with the selectors a couple of days ago before his retirement. He informed his wish to be part of the format at least for the first two games of the England series.

The veteran informed that if he doesn’t get back to the runs, then he would hang up his shoes from the format in the middle of the series.

But the selectors were not happy with the batter’s wish to retire from the middle of the series, which could send a wrong message to the team environment. The final call was on the 37-year-old, who didn’t waste much time announcing his decision.

A renowned reporter, Abhishek Tripathi, on his social media handle, reckoned how the Indian coach, Gautam Gambhir, and the selectors were not in favor of having Rohit and Virat Kohli in the longest format.

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“The coach and selector have told BCCI that we do not want Rohit and Virat in Tests. A big cricket manager talked to both players. After this, the chief selector did his job.” He wrote on his X handle.

He also addressed that both these experienced batters would not have left the side if the selectors had left them for the England series.

“One more thing, BCCI is not stopping anyone; rather, BCCI has said that if you leave Tests, we will see in ODIs. If BCCI had not said that you are not getting a place in England, then Rohit and Virat Kohli would never have left the Test team on their own. T20 is a different matter.” Tripathi’s report elaborated.

“If these resignations had come immediately after losing the Test series in Australia, then it would have been believed that these people are leaving on their own. Then it was said that we are not going anywhere. So don't be fooled, BCCI has shown the way. Don't get trapped in Fake's PR program.” He penned down.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s recent Test struggles

Both veterans have had poor returns in the format during the last few series. Rohit clubbed just 91 runs at home against New Zealand in six innings before adding 31 runs in five innings down under in the BGT 2024-25.

Virat Kohli also faced trouble at home with 93 runs in six innings against the Kiwis at an average of 15.50. He celebrated a fine century in the second innings of the opening Perth Test, but the rest of the series didn’t go as planned.

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Apart from the century, only 90 runs came off his blade in eight innings down under. He returned to play for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 against Railways just after the tour, while Rohit turned up for Mumbai.

India faces a challenge to replace veterans

The BCCI selectors have asked Virat Kohli to reconsider his Test retirement in the next few days. But if the Delhi-born doesn’t take a U-turn, then it will be incredibly difficult for the national side.

They are due to announce their new captain for the series. Shubman Gill is likely to win the post, while the names of KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah have also come out.