Delhi: Former Indian captain and veteran spinner Anil Kumble has expressed surprise at Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s sudden retirement from Test cricket. He said that both these senior batsmen should have got a great farewell on the field.

Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on 12 May 2025. He scored 9,230 runs in 123 Tests, including 30 centuries and 31 half -centuries. His average was 46.85.

Earlier, Rohit Sharma said goodbye to the longest format on 8 May 2025. Kumble said that taking retirement of these two veterans within a few consecutive days is a big surprise.

What did Kumble say on Rohit-Virat?

Talking to ESPNcricinfo, former Indian coach Anil Kumble said, “This was a big surprise for me. So many big players retired from the Test a few days after each other. I did not expect it. I did not expect this decision. I felt that I felt that Virat had a few more years to play in Tests.”

Kumble said on Kohli’s retirement, “Now he is only playing ODI. Every player’s decision is personal and I am sure that Kohli must have taken this decision with thoughtfully. But, I believe that such big players should get Farewell on the field.”

Kumble further said, “This has been a very quiet retirement. Every player has the right to retire on his own terms, but I believe it should be on the field. When Ashwin also took a sudden retirement, it was the same. He had returned from Australia in the middle of the series.”

On the retirement of the Fayelwell match without Rohit-Virat, the former captain said, “First Rohit Sharma and then Virat Kohli also bid farewell without any on-field Farewell. I think such big players should get a respectful farewell in front of the crowd. Fans wait in social media to see their heroes playing for the last time. Was.”

He finally said, “I think Kohli could have helped the team on this England tour. But now when he has decided, we can only salute his magnificent career.”