Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket within a gap of five days in May this year, leaving a big void in the Indian team ahead of the five-match series in England.

The sudden retirements raised questions among fans and experts, given that both stalwarts had given hints to continue in the longest format.

Now, after more than six months, former India cricketer Robin Uthappa has made a bold comment about Rohit and Kohli’s decision to quite Test cricket, suggesting the exits were not natural.

Uthappa went on to add that the whole truth would only be revealed if and when the duo themselves decide to share it.

“I don’t know if it was a forced surrender, but it definitely didn’t seem like a natural exit," Uthappa said in a video on his YouTube channel. “What the truth is, they themselves will have to share in their own time. But I don’t think it was natural."

For both of them, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia turned out to be the farewell series. Uthappa believes Rohit’s dismal show on that tour Down Under wasn’t the reflection of his true caliber.

“When Rohit was not scoring runs in Australia, I felt that he should take a break for six months and work on his fitness. I had no doubt in my mind that he would score runs."

Having called time on their T20I and Test careers, Rohit and Kohli have now become on-format player for India. The two veterans are aiming to play the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.

“In both Virat and Rohit, you can see that hunger back in their eyes, which is really cool. It’s endearing to see it from a veteran who’s been there, done that, and achieved so much in international cricket," Uthappa remarked.