Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has stirred the pot by openly questioning the nature of the recent Test retirements of modern-day greats Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Uthappa suggested that their exits from the red-ball format did not appear to be a natural conclusion to their illustrious careers.
Uthappa's 'Forced Surrender' Remark
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Uthappa expressed his doubts about the circumstances surrounding the high-profile retirements, which were announced in quick succession. "I don't know if it was a forced surrender, but it definitely didn't seem like a natural exit," Uthappa stated. He added that only the players themselves could reveal the full truth in due time, but reiterated his belief that the process seemed unnatural.
Uthappa also shared a specific piece of advice he had mentally offered Rohit Sharma during a lean patch. "When Rohit was not scoring runs in Australia, I felt that he should take a break for six months and work on his fitness," he revealed. Despite the dip in form, Uthappa maintained strong faith in Rohit's abilities, claiming he had no doubt the opener would bounce back and score runs again.
Contrasting ODI Form and Veteran Hunger
The observation comes despite both Kohli and Rohit continuing to excel in the One-Day International format. Post their Test retirements, they have delivered crucial performances, including during the Australia tour and the recent home ODI series against South Africa.
Uthappa acknowledged this resurgence, pointing out a visible change in their demeanor. "In both Virat and Rohit, you can see that hunger back in their eyes, which is really cool," he said. He described it as endearing to witness such passion from veterans who have already achieved so much on the international stage.
Domestic Stints and Global Support
Both legends have remained active in domestic cricket, opting to play in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. Rohit Sharma, in particular, has been in scintillating form, blasting a century for Mumbai against Sikkim in Jaipur and following it up with another ton against Andhra Pradesh. He also scored a brisk 77 off 61 balls against Gujarat.
The sentiment that age is irrelevant as long as performance persists was echoed by New Zealand pace veteran Tim Southee. Speaking on the sidelines of the ILT20, Southee defended the duo's continued place in limited-overs cricket. "Kohli is arguably the best ever one-day batsman and if he's still performing then why not," Southee said. He highlighted Rohit's recent century in Australia as proof of their enduring class, concluding, "as long as they're still performing and still contributing to the side then I believe age is only a number."
The comments from Uthappa, made on December 30, 2025, add a new layer of intrigue to the transition phase in Indian Test cricket, shifting the focus from mere retirement announcements to the potential narratives behind them.
