As cricket’s rumor mills spun faster, the idea of orchestrating farewell series for two of India’s greatest white-ball icons—Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma—was suddenly in the airwaves. But even before the dust settled, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla delivered a direct rebuttal: “We don’t tell any player to retire. A player himself makes that call. He has to decide, and we respect that.”
The Context: Retirement Speculation Meets Reality
- Past departures: Kohli and Rohit have already bowed out of T20 internationals after the World Cup triumph in 2024, and both retired from Test cricket in May 2025
- Current commitments: Despite stepping away from two formats, the duo remains active in ODIs. Upcoming engagements include India’s three-match ODI series in Australia this October—scheduled for Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney between October 19 and 25
- Policy clarity: Shukla emphasized that the BCCI’s policy is unequivocal—the board does not compel players to retire. That decision rests entirely with the individuals.
Shukla’s Straight Talk: “Why Worry About Farewell?”
- When questioned about arranging a farewell series “like Sachin Tendulkar’s,” Shukla responded sharply:
“When did they retire? … They haven’t announced retirement from ODIs, so why fret over a farewell? Virat is fit, Rohit is performing—why are you worried so much?” - The message was clear: speculation is premature, if not outright baseless.
What This Means for Fans and the Future
- No farewell—for now: With both players continuing to excel in ODIs and aiming toward the 2027 World Cup, it’s far too early to talk about grand exits.
- Focus on performance: Instead of savoring nostalgia, the emphasis is on preparation and maintaining form—especially given that both stars are expected to be pivotal to India’s World Cup journey
- Respect the process: The BCCI’s stance shows a respectful deference to players whose careers have spanned over a decade. They aren’t easing them out—they’re letting them decide when—and if—they’d like to bow out.
In essence, the speculation around farewell series for Kohli and Rohit is just that—speculation. And BCCI, through Rajeev Shukla, has done a decisive job of shutting it down for now. What remains is what truly matters in elite sport: fitness, performance, and the freedom to decide one’s own destination.
