The cricket world was left stunned in May 2025 when two of India’s greatest modern-day batters, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, announced their retirement from Test cricket within just five days of each other. Rohit declared his retirement on 7 May 2025, followed by Kohli’s emotional announcement on Instagram on 12 May 2025. Their decision to step away from the longest format of the game comes just ahead of the much-anticipated England tour, scheduled to begin on 20 June 2025.
Why Did Rohit and Kohli Retire from Test Cricket?
According to media reports, the key reason behind their sudden departure was India’s failure to reach the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final. Additionally, head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed a strong desire to introduce new faces in the upcoming WTC cycle. This move is likely aimed at rebuilding the Indian Test team, which has heavily relied on veterans in recent years.
Interestingly, just a few months ago, both players had expressed a keen interest in dominating the England tour, which makes their retirement even more surprising. Fans looking for more details can check Kohli’s retirement statement and Rohit Sharma’s final Test match press notes available on official BCCI platforms.
Transition to Limited-Overs Cricket
This is not the first time the duo has shifted gears. After India’s brilliant performance in the T20 World Cup 2024, both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired from T20 Internationals as well. As it stands, they will now only represent India in ODIs, making the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 a key event for fans and followers.
For those wanting to relive their Test journey, many fans are turning to cricket memorabilia, highlight reels, and career stats PDFs now widely available for download.
Virat Kohli vs Rohit Sharma: A Test Career Comparison
Let’s take a closer look at the Test cricket statistics of Kohli and Rohit, breaking down their performances across different conditions and roles.
Test Debut and Career Overview
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Virat Kohli made his Test debut in 2011, going on to play 123 matches and scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85. His highest score remains a formidable 254 against South Africa*.
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Rohit Sharma debuted later in 2013, playing 67 Tests, scoring 4,301 runs with an average of 40.57. His career-best score was 212 against South Africa in 2019.
| Stats | Virat Kohli | Rohit Sharma |
|---|---|---|
| Career Span | 2011–2025 | 2013–2024 |
| Matches | 123 | 67 |
| Innings | 210 | 116 |
| Runs | 9,230 | 4,301 |
| Highest Score | 254* | 212 |
| Average | 46.85 | 40.57 |
| 100s | 30 | 12 |
| 50s | 31 | 18 |
Home vs Away Performance in Tests
A true Test legend is defined by his adaptability, especially in foreign conditions. Here’s how both performed at home, away, and at neutral venues.
| Location | Virat Kohli | Rohit Sharma |
|---|---|---|
| Home Avg/Runs | 55.58 / 4,336 | 51.73 / 2,535 |
| Away Avg/Runs | 41.51 / 4,774 | 31.01 / 1,644 |
| Neutral Avg/Runs | 30.00 / 120 | 30.50 / 122 |
Virat Kohli’s away average of 41.51 stands out, showing his consistency in hostile overseas conditions, something Rohit Sharma struggled with during his career.
Fans comparing Rohit Sharma’s Test record abroad with Kohli’s match-saving innings in drawn matches (where Kohli averaged 71.88) will notice the edge Kohli held in crucial scenarios.
Captaincy Record in Tests
Virat Kohli as Test Captain
Kohli’s leadership from 2014 to 2022 was transformational for Indian cricket. He scored 4,336 runs as captain, averaging an outstanding 55.58. Under his reign, India reached new heights, including a Test series win in Australia.
Rohit Sharma as Test Captain
Rohit had a relatively brief stint as captain, scoring 1,254 runs at an average of 30.58. While he led with maturity, his personal performance dipped under pressure.
| Role | Kohli Avg/Runs | Rohit Avg/Runs |
|---|---|---|
| As Captain | 55.58 / 4,336 | 30.58 / 1,254 |
| Not Captain | 41.51 / 4,774 | 46.87 / 3,047 |
Contribution to Team Victories
Who Was More Impactful?
In winning causes, Rohit Sharma averaged 57.40, while Kohli averaged 51.58. However, Kohli’s massive drawn-match average of 71.88 indicates his knack for rescuing India from defeat — a quality seen in modern-day greats.
| Match Result | Kohli Avg/Runs | Rohit Avg/Runs |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | 51.58 / 4,746 | 57.40 / 2,985 |
| Losses | 32.60 / 2,543 | 18.60 / 744 |
| Draws | 71.88 / 1,941 | 40.85 / 572 |
Conclusion:
A statistical comparison between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in Test cricket highlights Kohli’s superiority across almost all parameters. His consistency, resilience under pressure, and ability to lead from the front as a captain distinguish him as India’s greatest Test batsman of the modern era.
While Rohit Sharma’s home dominance and impressive performance in victories cannot be denied, Kohli’s legacy is built on his adaptability, overseas success, and sustained excellence.
For fans interested in digging deeper, you can now download full Test stats PDFs, watch their farewell videos, or even purchase official memorabilia from their final matches. Their retirements mark the end of an era, but their contributions to Indian Test cricket will inspire generations to come.
FAQs
1. Why did Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retire from Test cricket in May 2025?
Both retired after India failed to qualify for the WTC 2023-25 final. Head coach Gautam Gambhir also aimed to rebuild the Test team with younger players.
2. Will Kohli and Rohit still play international cricket?
Yes, both will continue playing ODIs and are expected to feature in the Champions Trophy 2025.
3. Who had better Test stats between Kohli and Rohit?
Virat Kohli had superior stats overall, with 9,230 runs at a 46.85 average, compared to Rohit’s 4,301 runs at 40.57.
4. How did Kohli and Rohit perform as Test captains?
Kohli excelled with an average of 55.58 as captain, while Rohit averaged 30.58 during his shorter tenure.
5. Where can fans find their retirement statements and stats?
Fans can visit official BCCI platforms for statements, and access full stats PDFs and farewell videos online.