'Sach Toh Unhe Hi Bolna Padhega'

'I don't know about forced surrender, but it did not feel a natural exit'

IMAGE: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their retirement from Test cricket in May this year. Photograph: BCCI

Robin Uthappa believes Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's Test retirements weren't a 'natural exit' and that they should have played out the ongoing World Test Championship cycle 2025-2027.

After a disappointing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series last year against Australia, Ro-Ko announced their respective retirements from the longest format of the game in May this year.

'I don't know about forced surrender, but it did not feel a natural exit. Sach toh unhe hi bolna padhega (they have to tell the truth). I don't think it was natural. I felt Rohit Sharma should've taken a break for six months and worked on his fitness when he was not scoring runs in Australia,' Robin Uthappa said on his YouTube channel.

'I had no doubt that he would score runs after that. It was just a matter of time. He played too much cricket.'

'I felt they (Rohit and Kohli) had this cycle left. It could be that we don't know what actually transpired. That they only have to share if they want. Have to wait for their good time whenever they feel like sharing,' Uthappa added.

Uthappa also praised the veteran duo's recent performance in the Australia and South Africa ODI series.

'I recently spoke to Rohit in person. He is in a relaxed place now, you can see the hunger back in Rohit and Virat's eyes. It is endearing to see as an international cricketer yourself, you know kuch gazab hone waala hai,' he added.

They had a blockbuster ODI series against South Africa. While Rohit produced two magnificent half-centuries in the first and final ODIs, Kohli piled up two back-to-back tons at Ranchi and Raipur and followed it with an attacking, stroke-filled half-century at Visakhapatnam.

Kohli ended as the top run-getter in the series with 302 runs at an average of 151 and a strike rate of over 117, with two centuries and a fifty. Rohit also scored 148 runs in three innings at an average of 48.66, with an SR of over 110 and two fifties.

They also ended as the top two run-getters for India in ODIs this year, with Virat making 651 runs in 13 matches and innings at an average of 65.10, with three centuries and four fifties, with a best score of 135 and a SR of over 96.

On the other hand, Rohit scored 650 runs in 14 innings at an average of 50.00 and a strike rate of over 100, with two centuries and four fifties and a best score of 121*.