New Delhi, May 13 — Former Indian captain and legendary spinner Anil Kumble has expressed surprise at the sudden and quiet exit of veteran batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket, just weeks before India's tour of England. Speaking in an interview, Kumble stated that players of such stature deserved a farewell on the field, in front of their fans.
Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday, having amassed 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries across 123 Tests. His decision followed Rohit Sharma's announcement just days earlier, marking an end to an era in Indian red-ball cricket.
Kumble noted that while it is a player’s personal decision, it was unexpected given their continued importance to the team. He said it was surprising to see both stalwarts bow out so closely together and in such a quiet manner. As per agency report, Kumble emphasized that fans would have appreciated witnessing their farewell on the field rather than through social media updates.
The former India coach further commented that this pattern also echoed during the retirement of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who had stepped away from the format mid-series and returned home. Kumble believes such players, who have given so much to Indian cricket, should ideally have had the opportunity to exit the game amidst applause and acknowledgment from the crowd.
Reflecting on the upcoming five-match Test series in England, set to begin on June 20, Kumble remarked that Kohli’s presence could have played a crucial role in such a challenging tour. He felt that one of either Kohli or Rohit should have continued at least through this series to lend experience and leadership to the team.
In the wake of Kohli's announcement, several current and former cricketers paid tribute to his contributions to Indian cricket. Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj praised Kohli for inspiring countless players and said the dressing room would not feel the same without him. He thanked the senior batsman for his constant support and guidance.
Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar also acknowledged Kohli’s impact, particularly his aggressive leadership in Test cricket. He credited Kohli for bringing a transformative approach to the team and underlined the importance of that aggression in the traditional format of the game.
With Kohli and Rohit’s exits, and Ashwin already retired, Indian Test cricket enters a new phase, and as Kumble suggested, it’s a transition that perhaps deserved a more fitting public farewell for three of its modern legends.
