The Indian cricket world was shaken once again, just days after Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Test cricket. Reports began to surface that Virat Kohli has also decided to step away from the red-ball format. While nothing has been officially confirmed yet, the speculation alone has been enough to stir up a social media storm.
As India prepares for a crucial five-match Test series in England starting June 20 at Headingley, the idea of facing the tour without both Rohit Sharma and possibly Virat Kohli has left many fans concerned. With Ravichandran Ashwin also having retired, the team could be heading into tough English conditions without some of its most experienced players.
According to a report by the Times of India, Kohli had informed selectors two weeks ago of his wish to retire from Tests. Despite efforts by the BCCI and even cricket legend Brian Lara to convince him otherwise, sources say Kohli has remained firm.
¡°Kohli had informed the selectors two weeks ago about his desire to quit Tests. They were trying to persuade him to play in the Test series against England. However, he is still firm on his stance. The final call will come close to the selection meeting next week,¡± a source was quoted saying.
Kohli is still considered one of the fittest players in international cricket at the age of 36, which has made the idea of his retirement harder for fans to accept. Many are urging him to reconsider and believe he still has a few good years left in him in the longest format.
Several users across platforms like X and Reddit have expressed disbelief and frustration. Posts asking Kohli to stay in the game have gone viral, with fans and cricket experts alike weighing in.
The intensity of public and media interest in Kohli¡¯s retirement has unintentionally sparked comparisons with how Rohit Sharma's retirement was received. While Rohit quietly announced his decision on social media, the response was relatively subdued. In contrast, Kohli¡¯s rumoured departure has triggered reactions from fans, the BCCI, and even global cricket figures.
One fan wrote on Reddit, "Yes, I know there is a daylight gap between Virat and Rohit especially in Test cricket, but this feels like a bit of a humiliation for Rohit. He announced his retirement and it felt like nobody cared, while Kohli hasn¡¯t even made it official and already everyone is pleading with him to stay."
People persuading Virat to stay seems like an insult to Rohit Sharma
byu/redditrespect30 inIndiaCricketGossips
Another user on X commented,?"When Virat Kohli decided to take retirement from Test, BCCI begged him, ex-cricketers stopped him, highly influential Indian cricketer asked him to reconsider. Meanwhile, when Rohit Sharma retired, nobody gave a damn. When you're big, you're big."
The X post sparked a fan war, with one Rohit Sharma fan writing, "Brother Rohit, don't make drama by saying I want to take retirement. He is just good enough to have a clear-cut decision to make on his own. If Virat had decided to take the retirement, he could have just announced that like he does in T20Is. He surely wanted an opinion."? Another Rohit Sharma fan wrote, "When the BCCI decides to remove captaincy from Kohli in all the formats, it doesn¡¯t give a damn to the so-called greatest player. BCCI handed out to Rohit Sharma for captaincy. The Aura level for Rohit Sharma." "Virat Kohli is my favorite player and my heart. But he is so fit that he can play for two more years easily, while Rohit is approaching 40 and can't play Test cricket at that age. We Love Ro-KO," added another X user.
The contrasting treatment has stirred tension among fan groups, with some Rohit Sharma supporters now calling out what they see as favouritism. While Kohli undeniably has a massive following and a longer legacy in Test cricket, many feel that Rohit¡¯s contributions have been underappreciated.
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