India last played a Test match without both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in January 2022, during the second Test of the South Africa tour in Johannesburg. Kohli, who was then the captain, missed the match due to an upper back spasm, while Rohit was ruled out of the entire series due to a hamstring injury. In their absence, KL Rahul captained the team, but India fell short, losing the Test by seven wickets.
This match marked a significant moment in Indian cricket, as Kohli returned for the third Test but soon stepped down as captain, paving the way for Rohit Sharma to take over the leadership in red-ball cricket. Their absence in that Johannesburg Test was a rare occurrence, as both players had been integral to India’s batting lineup for over a decade.
Now, with both Kohli and Rohit announcing their retirement from Test cricket, India is set to enter a new era without their presence in the longest format.
Their combined absence leaves a void not just in terms of runs and leadership but also in the aura they brought to the field. As India prepares for its upcoming tour of England in July 2025, the team will have to rely on the next generation of players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill to step up and fill the gap.
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