Ravichandran Ashwin has spoken out candidly about the unexpected retirement of both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket—moves that have not only shocked fans and pundits alike but also left a leadership vacuum just weeks before India’s crucial tour of England.
Ashwin reacts to shock retirements of Rohit and Kohli
The former India off-spinner, now a commentator and analyst, shared his thoughts on his YouTube show Ash Ki Baat, revealing that the simultaneous retirement announcements took him completely by surprise.
“I didn’t have an idea both [Rohit and Kohli] would retire together,” Ashwin said.
Kohli announced his decision on Instagram earlier this week, just five days after Rohit made his own exit from the longest format official via social media on May 7. These developments come less than two weeks before the Indian selectors are expected to finalize the squad for the England Tests—a series now set to mark a clear generational shift.
‘Start of the Gautam Gambhir era’
Ashwin didn’t mince words about the broader implications of the two legends stepping away from the format, especially in light of India’s evolving coaching structure under former opener Gautam Gambhir, who is widely tipped to take over as head coach.
“This will be a testing time for Indian cricket, and I’ll say this is truly now the beginning of the Gautam Gambhir era,” said Ashwin.
Bumrah backed as next Test captain
With India suddenly missing two of their most experienced leaders, the spotlight is now firmly on who takes over the reins in the red-ball format. Ashwin floated the name of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who led India to their only Test win in the previous Australia tour, as a strong contender.
“The team that will tour England will be a completely new team, a transformed team where Bumrah will probably be the senior-most player. He is obviously one of the captaincy options; I think he deserves the captaincy, but the selectors will take a decision based on his physical capacity,” he said.
While reports suggest Shubman Gill could be handed the captaincy as part of a long-term strategy, Ashwin’s comments reflect a belief in experience and proven leadership under pressure—qualities Bumrah has shown in his limited opportunities as skipper.
India will miss Rohit’s composure, Kohli’s energy
Ashwin emphasized the irreplaceable value of what both Rohit and Kohli brought to the Test side—not just as batters but as leaders and motivators.
“Their retirements will definitely create a leadership vacuum. You can’t buy experience, especially on tours like this. Virat’s energy and Rohit’s composure will be missed.”
He further lamented the timing of the retirements, particularly Rohit’s, suggesting that the England series might have been a more logical point of departure.
“Rohit, I felt would at least go on till the England Test series, because there’s a leadership vacuum in the team.”
“Tests has been the finest [format for India] in the last 10-12 years, but just for the sake of leadership, Rohit should’ve played till the England series, and if he’d performed, he could’ve carried on and given some more leadership.”
On Kohli, Ashwin believes the former captain still had some gas left in the tank.
“There will be a sense of fulfilment, but I honestly feel Kohli definitely had one-two years of Test cricket left in him.”
A transformed Indian team heads to England
With two icons gone, a new head coach likely incoming, and a fresh leadership puzzle to solve, India’s tour of England now takes on greater significance—not just for on-field results, but as a defining moment in the next chapter of Indian Test cricket.
Ashwin’s remarks underscore the urgency and gravity of the moment. For Indian cricket, the transition has already begun. The question is: who steps up next?
