After Rohit Sharma, R Ashwin retirements, eye on Virat Kohli and other seniors' future in Test cricket

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (AP Photo)

Ravichandran Ashwin first and Rohit Sharma now. The process of India stalwarts retiring altogether or from certain formats has begun. Ashwin has quit international cricket completely, while Rohit remains available only for ODIs. Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja have said goodbye to T20Is. By the time the next ICC World Test Championship cycle reaches the halfway stage, there could be more.

India begin their WTC campaign with a five-Test tour of England starting in June. Runners-up in the first two editions, they missed their chance to reach the final for a third time following some dismal performances at home against New Zealand and then in Australia. England will be another testing series and by the time it ends, the fate of a few more seniors will become clearer.

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Virat Kohli: Given the legend he is, it’s impossible to write him off, even though he has not been at his best in this format of late. There was a century in Perth. Other than that, he has not been the prolific Test run-getter he used to be. His average has dipped to 46.85 from well above 50. He has developed vulnerabilities. England has been more of a bitter place for Kohli than sweet. On three tours, he was out of sorts in 2014, supreme in 2018 and so-so in 2021-22. His fitness is better than many. But to better the Test average of 33-plus in England, the 36-year-old has to lift his game.

Ravindra Jadeja: For someone who made it to international cricket as a utility player in the shorter formats, he has come a long way to become a proper Test all-rounder. He has made runs under pressure in many countries including England and also taken wickets. However, his Test returns have dipped considerably and there is competition in the form of Axar Patel. At 36, Jadeja is unlikely to get sharper as a fielder, which was one of his USPs. Another on the watch list!

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Mohammed Shami: Even if he makes it to England after a forgettable IPL 2025, it’s unlikely that he will feature in five Tests. Being a fast bowler for so many years on grounds with varying degrees of hardness has taken its toll on different parts of his body. It’s difficult for him to stage a drastic physical recovery. Skill-wise, he is among the best of his peers and that keeps his chances alive. If he goes to England, it will be a massive test for one of India’s finest fast bowlers.

KL Rahul: Two centuries, one fifty and an average of 34.11 in nine Tests don’t make him a failure in England as an opener. However, it’s the career average of 33.57 from 57 outings that makes many believe that he has underperformed. Because Rahul has adapted to his middle-order role, he continues to be in the scheme of things. Rohit’s retirement further keeps him in the frame. But with competitors like Sai Sudharsan even Devdutt Padikkal emerging, the 33-year-old can’t expect many more opportunities.