Dwayne Smith on Rohit-Kohli Exit
Dwayne Smith shared his views after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stunned fans by retiring from Test cricket earlier this year.
Former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Smith has reacted to the stunning decision of Indian greats Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to retire from Test cricket earlier this year.
The two stalwarts, regarded as modern-day batting giants, surprised fans in May 2025 when they announced their decision to step away from the longest format just before India’s much-awaited five-Test series against England. Their Test retirement came after both had already quit T20 internationals following India’s triumphant 2024 T20 World Cup campaign in the Caribbean. Within days of each other, Rohit and Kohli confirmed the end of their Test careers, a move that has left India in a transition phase. With ODI cricket also on pause since IPL 2025, India’s next 50-over series will only be in October against Australia.
In a conversation with Sports Tak, Smith reflected on what might have led to their decision. He felt that the absence of inner motivation could have played a big role.
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“I think most guys, when they’re not feeling that urge or that burning sensation that you want to play and play hard cricket, I think when that is gone, it’s when you know that you’ve got to give up on it,” Smith said.
Recalling his own retirement in 2017, Smith explained how his exit from international cricket was driven by lack of selection and limited opportunities. “My situation was different. I had a lot of things going against me with selection and all that. So I think at the time I did it, it was the right time. Some people say not that it was wrong, but I think it was at the right time because they were just messing around with me,” he added.
With Rohit and Kohli now retired from both Tests and T20Is, their attention has turned to ODIs. The pair will next be seen in action during the three-match ODI series against Australia starting October 19. Their last outing for India came in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, where they played key roles in ending the team’s 12-year wait for the title with a win over New Zealand at the Dubai International Stadium.
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Last Updated on August 23, 2025
