In a development that has stirred debate among cricket fans, former India opener Aakash Chopra has voiced his disappointment over the sudden departure of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket. According to Chopra, both stalwarts still had enough cricket left in them to guide India through a crucial transition phase in the longest format of the game.
Kohli and Rohit’s Exit Shocks Fans
When Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their decision to step away from Test cricket, it marked the end of an era. Kohli, widely regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world, redefined India’s Test culture with his aggressive leadership and unmatched fitness standards. Rohit, who reinvented himself as a Test opener, brought stability at the top and scored crucial runs in challenging conditions.
For fans, the news came as a surprise — neither player showed signs of slowing down physically, and both were still producing match-winning performances. However, their choice to focus on limited-overs formats has left India’s Test batting order without two of its most reliable pillars.
Aakash Chopra’s Honest Assessment
In a recent discussion on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra on Kohli Rohit became a trending topic as he openly admitted he would have liked them to play longer.
“I genuinely believe Virat and Rohit could have continued for at least another couple of years in Test cricket. They have the temperament for big matches, and their ability to absorb pressure is second to none,” Chopra said.
Chopra emphasized that the qualities Kohli and Rohit possess — such as reading match situations, adapting to pitch conditions, and building partnerships under pressure — are irreplaceable assets in Test cricket.
The Leadership and Experience Void
With Virat Kohli’s illustrious Test career and Rohit Sharma’s red-ball chapter now closed, India is left navigating a leadership gap in the longest format. Although emerging talents such as Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad promise a bright future, they are yet to match the wealth of Test match experience that Kohli and Rohit once offered.
Chopra noted that beyond their batting numbers, Kohli and Rohit provided invaluable mentorship to young cricketers. Their ability to guide teammates through tense sessions and hostile overseas tours is something statistics cannot capture.
Kohli’s Test Legacy
Virat Kohli’s journey in Test cricket stands among the finest in the game’s history. Scoring more than 8,500 runs, including 29 centuries, he guided India to landmark series triumphs in Australia and ensured their supremacy on home soil. His unwavering love for the format transformed India’s mindset, establishing them as a dominant and consistent presence in the Test arena.
Even in the latter part of his career, Kohli continued to score runs against top-quality opposition, proving he still had plenty left to offer. Many experts, including Chopra, feel he could have added a few more iconic chapters to his Test legacy.
Rohit Sharma’s Test Resurgence
While Rohit Sharma’s Test career started in 2013, his true breakthrough came in 2019 when he began opening in the format. Since then, he scored crucial hundreds in England and India, often providing a solid start in tough batting conditions. His calm, composed batting style complemented Kohli’s aggressive approach, making them one of the most dependable duos in world cricket.
For Chopra, Rohit’s transformation from a middle-order batsman to a consistent Test opener was one of modern cricket’s most inspiring stories — another reason why his exit feels premature.
Impact on India’s Test Future
The retirement of Kohli and Rohit from Tests forces India to fast-track the grooming of its next generation. While players like Gill and Jaiswal have shown promise, filling the shoes of two modern-day greats will not be easy.
Chopra believes that had Kohli and Rohit stayed for another couple of years, they could have ensured a smoother transition. Their presence would have allowed youngsters to learn firsthand from seasoned campaigners while also shielding them from excessive pressure.
Respecting the Decision but Missing the Icons
While Aakash Chopra respects the personal and professional reasons behind their choice, he cannot help but feel that Indian cricket will miss their unmatched skill set in whites.
“Test cricket is a different beast,” Chopra said. “You can’t just replace Virat and Rohit overnight. It will take time, and that’s why I feel they should have continued just a little longer.”
Fans will also have to adjust to a new reality — no more watching Kohli’s intense celebrations after taking a key wicket, or Rohit’s effortless pulls and drives against the new ball in a five-day game.
Conclusion
In the end, whether or not one agrees with Aakash Chopra’s viewpoint, there is no denying that the Virat Kohli Test cricket era and Rohit Sharma Test career have left an everlasting mark on the game. They redefined standards, broke records, and inspired a generation of cricketers.
As India turns a new page in its Test journey, their absence will be felt deeply — not just in runs and victories, but in the spirit and passion they brought to the format. For Chopra and countless fans, the sentiment remains the same: Indian Test cricket would have been stronger if Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma had continued just a little longer.
