Bishnoi Advocates for Fitting Farewells for Kohli and Sharma

Indian leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi expressed on Monday that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are deserving of a proper farewell match to acknowledge their substantial contributions to Indian cricket.

During an appearance on a local Indian YouTube podcast, Bishnoi conveyed his surprise at their abrupt exits from the team.

“It’s quite surprising, as you’d always hope to see icons retire while still active on the field. It’s a more fitting exit for such significant legends. Their impact on India is unmatched,” he stated.

Bishnoi noted that the absence of a formal send-off for Kohli and Rohit has created a sense of incompleteness. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has frequently been criticized for not organizing appropriate farewells for numerous prominent figures in the nation’s cricket history.

“You want to ensure they receive a memorable send-off, which they might still get in ODIs, whenever the time comes for them to depart. Retirement is a personal decision. However, the sudden retirements were unexpected, leaving a void as if two crucial positions need filling,” Bishnoi commented.

The two experienced players stepped back from T20Is after India secured the 2024 T20 World Cup. Earlier, in May 2025, they declared their retirement from Test cricket within a week of each other.

While reports suggest that Kohli and Rohit are interested in playing until the 2027 ODI World Cup, their place in the management’s future plans remains uncertain.

Their most recent appearances in ODIs were during India’s Champions Trophy victory in March 2025, where their leadership and vast experience proved essential.

The seasoned duo, having already retired from Tests and T20 internationals—Kohli from Tests in May 2025, and both from T20Is after India’s 2024 T20 World Cup win—continue to represent India in the 50-over format.

Reportedly, both players are slated to participate for the final time in their careers during the forthcoming ODI series against Australia, which is scheduled for October 2025.