Ravichandran Ashwin says he did not expect Kohli and Rohit to retire back-to-back

Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said he didn’t expect Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to retire back-to-back. Kohli amassed 9230 runs in 123 Test matches at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries.

Rohit played 67 Tests during an 11-year career, leading in 24 of them since taking over the reins of the team from Virat Kohli in 2022. He ends his career with a total of 4301 runs, including 12 centuries.

Rohit Sharma announced his Test retirement on May 7 whereas Kohli announced his retirement from the red-ball version on Monday.

Kohli scored only 190 runs in five Test matches on the Australian tour at an average of 23.75 and thus doubts over his Test future were raised by many experts. On the other hand, Rohit could only manage 31 runs in three Test matches against the Aussies at an average of 6.20.

“I retired in Australia, and I did not expect these two to retire back-to-back. Did Rohit have the pedigree to play 100 Tests? He must have. I believe that the time he missed, those 4-5 years before his debut due to that injury, he was unable to play those extra 30-40 Test matches,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Ashwin opened up on Kohli’s retirement and said the veteran may have one or two more years of cricket left in him but feels energy level and mental toughness could be a reason behind his decision.

“A small question arises in my mind regarding Kohli’s decision. Maybe he had one or two more years left in him? Is his energy levels a reason for that? Maybe he must be thinking that he does not have the mental capacity anymore. Even when not playing personally his energy at mid-wicket or short cover is there in the team,” Ashwin said.

Both Kohli and Rohit will be seen in action in IPL 2025, which will resume on May 17.