Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma shocked the cricketing fraternity by announcing their Test retirements within a matter of one week. Rohit, who was India's captain in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, quit red-ball cricket on May 7. Virat, who looked set to tour England despite his below-par performance in Australia, retired on Monday (May 12).

A report has made a huge claim and seemingly revealed Gautam Gambhir's role in seniors' retirements. Gambhir is the present head coach of Team India.

PTI has reported that Gambhir wanted fresh faces in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle, which could be the probable reason behind Virat and Rohit quitting the red-ball format.

"The Gautam Gambhir era begins now. He was categorical that during the next WTC cycle, India need to have fresh faces. Everyone, associated with decision making knew where Gambhir stood in terms of carrying seniors in the longest format. Obviously his and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar's thoughts aligned," a BCCI source told PTI.

Virat ended his Test career with 9230 runs in 123 Tests. He hit 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. Rohit scored 4301 runs in 67 Tests. He replaced Virat as the Test captain early in 2022 and led the red-ball team for nearly 3 years.

Shubman Gill looks all but set to take over the charge going ahead. He is already the present vice-captain of the white-ball teams and could become India's all-format captain in the next couple of years.

Jasprit Bumrah once looked set to become India's next Test captain but he is likely to miss out on the job due to his fitness issues. He led India in 2 Tests against Australia Down Under.

Shubman is likely to have Rishabh Pant as his deputy. Rishabh has been a regular in the Test team since his debut in 2018. He is also a confirmed selection in the playing XI.

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