Former India captain and coach Ravi Shastri has shed light on the voluntary retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket, emphasising their autonomy in stepping away from the format earlier this year. Speaking to Fox Cricket ahead of India’s three-match ODI series against Australia starting October 19 in Perth, Shastri revealed, "They were not asked to retire. They went on their own." The comment dispels speculation of external pressure from the BCCI or selectors, framing the duo’s decisions—alongside Ravindra Jadeja’s T20I exit post the 2024 World Cup win—as personal choices driven by self-assessment. With ODIs now their sole active format, Shastri advised the 36-year-old Kohli and 38-year-old Sharma to approach their careers "one series at a time," as India builds toward the 2027 ODI World Cup under new captain Shubman Gill.
Shastri, who coached India to two Test series triumphs in Australia, expressed confidence in the veterans’ ability to anchor the squad Down Under, where both have stellar records. Kohli boasts 1,327 ODI runs at 51.03 with five centuries in Australia, while Sharma’s explosive top-order game has yielded 1,012 runs at 44.00. "Virat's a master chaser, and Rohit is explosive at the top. They feel they’ve got enough cricket in them," Shastri noted, highlighting their hunger and fitness as critical for the 27-month World Cup runway.
He cautioned, however, that enjoyment and form will dictate their longevity: "If they’re not enjoying it, if the form is not good, they might pull the plug themselves." This follows Kohli’s cryptic X post on October 16—"The only time you truly fail is when you decide to give up"—seen as a nod to his resolve after a seven-month hiatus since the Champions Trophy.
The series, India’s first ODI outing since March, marks a pivotal moment for the team transitioning from its 2023 World Cup final loss. Kohli’s 2025 form (275 runs, one century in seven ODIs) and Sharma’s 312 runs at 44.57 reflect their enduring class, but limited match practice—confined to IPL 2025—raises questions. Shastri’s advice aligns with Dinesh Karthik’s recent revelation that Kohli, training rigorously in London, is "serious" about 2027, countering retirement buzz.
The duo’s experience is vital against Australia’s pace-heavy attack, with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood poised to exploit bouncy pitches. Social media reactions on X, with over 20,000 engagements on Shastri’s comments, show fans split—some hail the veterans’ grit, others urge youth integration like Yashasvi Jaiswal, who awaits a chance.
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Shastri’s insights underscore a pragmatic outlook: a strong showing in Australia could propel Kohli and Sharma toward the World Cup, with South Africa’s 2027 conditions favouring their skill sets. India’s squad, blending KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant with youngsters like Harshit Rana, faces a litmus test in maintaining its 70% ODI win rate in Australia since 2010.
As the BCCI balances legacy with renewal, Shastri’s "good state of mind" mantra for the duo signals a delicate dance between nostalgia and ambition, with the Perth opener setting the tone for their twilight phase.
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