Former Indian Cricketer Accuses BCCI of ‘Internal Politics’ Behind Virat and Rohit’s Omission

Team India is witnessing a significant transition period, as several senior players have announced their retirements in recent months. The change began with Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India’s greatest spinners, bidding farewell to Test cricket during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 held in Australia. Soon after that, in May 2025, two of India’s biggest batting stalwarts, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, also announced their retirement from the longest format ahead of the highly anticipated Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Their decisions shocked the cricket fraternity, as both were still active and seen as capable of contributing to Indian cricket for at least a few more years. While many reports suggested that their below-par performance in the series against Australia was the reason behind their decision to step away, former Indian pacer Karsan Ghavri has stirred up the debate further by claiming that there is more to the story than just form and fitness.

Karsan Ghavri, the left-arm pacer who formed a memorable new-ball partnership with Kapil Dev during the late 1970s and early 1980s, has openly accused the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and its selection committee of sidelining both Kohli and Rohit due to “internal politics.” Speaking on the Vicky Lalwani Show, Ghavri stated that both stalwarts were still eager to represent India in Tests but were forced into early retirement due to boardroom decisions. “Kohli should have definitely continued playing for India easily, maybe for the next few years. But something forced him to retire. And unfortunately, when he retired, he was not even given a farewell by the BCCI. Such a great player, who has given so much to Indian cricket and its fans, deserved a grand farewell,” Ghavri remarked.

The absence of a farewell match or ceremony for Kohli, in particular, has raised eyebrows. Widely regarded as one of the modern greats and someone who has carried Indian batting for more than a decade, Kohli’s quiet exit from Test cricket without official celebrations has fueled speculation that his retirement was not entirely voluntary. Ghavri further alleged that the BCCI’s internal politics and the decision-making of the current selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, played a crucial role. “It’s because of BCCI’s internal politics, which is difficult to understand. And I think that’s the reason they retired prematurely. Even Rohit Sharma retired prematurely. They were asked to leave. It’s not that they wanted to leave. They wanted to continue playing. But the selectors and BCCI had different ideas. It was a case of some kind of petty politics,” he said.

The claims by Ghavri have sparked a larger conversation around the role of politics and favoritism in Indian cricket selections. Both Kohli and Rohit have been pillars of Indian cricket for over a decade, with Kohli’s aggressive batting and fitness standards inspiring a new generation, while Rohit’s consistency and leadership brought stability across formats. Their sudden retirement from Tests, especially without public statements explaining their decision in detail, has left fans puzzled and disappointed. Many feel that players of their stature deserved a more respectful and transparent farewell.

Adding to the uncertainty, several reports suggest that both Kohli and Rohit may soon call time on their ODI careers as well, which could end their chances of playing in the 2027 World Cup. If that happens, it would mark the end of an era for Indian cricket, as two legends who shaped modern Indian batting would exit the stage within a short span. Such developments also raise concerns about whether boardroom politics is overshadowing the contributions of senior cricketers, and if Indian cricket is adequately honoring its greatest servants.

For now, the allegations made by Karsan Ghavri have opened up a storm of debates, with fans demanding clarity from BCCI. Whether these claims are entirely true or partially exaggerated remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s exit from Test cricket will remain one of the most talked-about chapters in Indian cricket history.