BCCI Clarifies Forced Retirement Reports of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test Cricket

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has finally addressed the rumors of forced retirements in the cricketing world. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's sudden decision to retire from Test cricket just before the tour of England has left many fans and experts baffled. The cricketing fraternity was eagerly anticipating the duo's presence in the series against Ben Stokes' England team. However, their absence has raised questions about the influence of the BCCI, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla has clarified that players retire when they choose to, and the cricket board does not force anyone to announce their retirement. Rohit Sharma, who retired first from the Test format, scored 4301 runs in 67 Tests at an average of 40.57. Virat Kohli, on the other hand, amassed 9230 runs in 123 Tests with an impressive 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries.

Shukla emphasized that the decision to retire was entirely the players' own. "We are feeling the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. It was their decision to retire and the BCCI doesn’t tell any player to retire. It was their call," he told ANI. "They took retirement on their own. We will always consider them as legendary batters. It is good that both are available for ODIs," he added.

The series between England and India has seen England win two Test matches while India secured a victory in one red-ball game. The fourth Test is scheduled to begin on July 23 in Manchester.