Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has sparked a major debate in Indian cricket after claiming that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma did not retire from Test cricket by choice, but were “forced out” by the negative dressing-room atmosphere and unnecessary talk of transition.
Both Indian legends had announced their Test retirements earlier this year just days apart, right before the England series – a decision that shocked the cricket world.
According to Tiwary, the reason was not age or form, but the environment inside the team, which he believes “demoralised” the two biggest ambassadors of Test cricket.
“Kohli–Rohit wanted to save Test cricket, but the atmosphere pushed them away”
Tiwary said that both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were committed to keeping Test cricket alive, but the growing negativity within the dressing room made them step back.
He claimed that a situation was created where even players who wanted to continue playing were made to feel uncomfortable. Tiwary comments hint at internal politics, especially at a time when India had to suddenly replace two all-time greats in the longest format.
Tiwary Rejects ‘Transition Phase’ Talk
The former Bengal captain strongly disagreed with the idea that Indian cricket needed a Test transition.
Responding to Gautam Gambhir comments after India’s defeat in the first Test against South Africa, Tiwary said:
“India does not need transition. New Zealand or Zimbabwe need transition. In India, talent is in abundance. Using transition as an excuse only pushes legends out.”
He alleged that the “transition narrative” became a tool to gradually sideline Kohli and Rohit — players who, according to him, wanted to uphold the purity of Test cricket.
Tiwary also criticised India coach Gautam Gambhir, saying that questioning players’ technique after a loss was unfair. According to him, if defence techniques were weak, the coaching staff should have strengthened them before the match. He added that Gambhir, known as a good player of spin, should have offered more guidance instead of pointing fingers after the defeat.
India are currently 0–1 down in the two-match Test series after losing the opening Test in Kolkata.
The decision to prepare a rank turner backfired badly, raising more questions about team strategy.
Now, with the second Test set to be played in Guwahati, India face a must-win situation. A defeat would mean losing a second consecutive home Test series, something extremely rare in Indian cricket.
