BCCI Treatment of Kohli and Rohit: Are the Legends Being Handled Fairly?

The BCCI treatment of Kohli and Rohit has become one of the most discussed topics in Indian cricket today. Indian cricket has always been built on the shoulders of great players who gave their best for the country and carried the weight of expectations for years. Two names that stand out in the modern era are Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. They are icons of Indian cricket, captains, match winners, and role models for aspiring cricketers. However, in recent months there has been a growing debate around how the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has treated them during their retirement from the Test format. Many believe that their treatment does not reflect the respect and recognition legendary players deserve. At the same time, others argue that their performances in recent years had not justified automatic selection in the playing eleven.

This article looks at both sides of the debate. It highlights their incredible contributions and accolades but also examines their recent struggles and whether past achievements should outweigh current form.

The Glorious Contributions of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

Before discussing the criticism, it is important to acknowledge what these two giants have achieved for Indian cricket.

Virat Kohli’s legacy is well known. He is regarded as one of the greatest all-format players the game has seen. His remarkable consistency in chases, his fighting centuries overseas, and his leadership during a transformative phase of Indian cricket made him a true icon. Under his captaincy, India reached new heights in Test cricket including a series win in Australia and a sustained run as the number one Test team. With over 8,500 Test runs and nearly 80 international centuries, Kohli’s achievements speak for themselves.

Rohit Sharma’s journey is equally inspiring. From being criticized in his early years for inconsistency, he reinvented himself to become one of the most destructive opening batters in world cricket. His record of three double hundreds in ODIs may never be repeated. In Test cricket he became a solid opening option at home and played memorable knocks, such as his century at The Oval in 2021. As captain, he guided India to victories in white ball cricket and offered stability after Kohli stepped down.

Legends like these undoubtedly deserve respect for what they have given to Indian cricket. Their contribution has gone beyond numbers, as they inspired millions of fans and carried Indian cricket to the global stage.

The Decline in Test Form After 2020

While their achievements are immense, Test cricket is a demanding format that rewards only consistent performances. Unfortunately, both Kohli and Rohit struggled to live up to their past records in recent years.

For Virat Kohli, the statistics were a concern. Since 2020 his Test average hovered around 30, which is far below the standards he set in the earlier part of his career. Except against South Africa and the West Indies where his average touched above 40, his overall form was underwhelming. Even at home, where conditions traditionally favor Indian batters, his average remained around 30 over the last five years. Such a record cannot be brushed aside as a short phase, as it covers a long period and multiple series.

Rohit Sharma did not fare much better. His average of 36 in 35 matches since 2020 indicates that he too did not dominate as expected. He managed to touch an average of 40 only against England and the West Indies but failed to make a significant mark against other opponents. While he may look better than Kohli with an overall home average around 40, he missed several overseas Tests due to fitness or other issues. In the modern era, where consistency across conditions is expected, such gaps raised questions about long-term reliability.

Lack of Fighting Innings in Recent Series

Beyond statistics, what disappointed many fans and experts was the manner of their dismissals in crucial matches. In their last two series, neither Kohli nor Rohit produced innings that displayed the grit and determination required in testing conditions. Their knocks often started with one or two glorious shots, raising hopes, but ended with familiar dismissals soon after. Test cricket is about occupying the crease and fighting through tough sessions, something that seemed missing from their approach in recent times.

This lack of resilience added to the argument that automatic selection based purely on past glory was unfair. If past records were the only criteria then BCCI may as well have recalled legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, or Rahul Dravid, who all had superior career records. Selection, however, must be based on current performance and contribution to the team’s future goals.

The Question of Domestic Cricket Commitment

Another point that weakened the case for Kohli and Rohit was their limited participation in domestic cricket. Both of them were active across all formats for India and in the Indian Premier League. This left them with little time for domestic red ball games, which could have helped them regain form. What was more concerning was that even when opportunities were available, they did not show intent to return to domestic cricket to prove themselves.

Younger players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and legends like R. Ashwin have played domestic red ball games whenever there was an opportunity and have worked hard in domestic tournaments. It was difficult for selectors to justify selection of senior players who were not in form and not making the effort to play domestic cricket.

BCCI Treatment of Kohli and Rohit

The heart of the debate is about how these legends have been treated. Many fans and even teammates feel that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma deserved more respect in their transition phase. After giving so much to Indian cricket, they could have been managed with clearer communication and more dignity. Even if the decision was to let them step aside from Tests, it could have been conveyed in a way that celebrated their legacy rather than leaving room for speculation.

At the same time, selectors also faced the challenge of balancing respect for legends with the need to build a winning team for the future. Cricket is ultimately a performance-based sport. When consistent runs are missing for five years, no player, however great, can expect permanent security in the side.

Finding the Middle Ground

The right way forward is perhaps to strike a balance. Kohli and Rohit must be honored for their legendary contributions. They have written some of the most glorious chapters of Indian cricket and nothing can take that away. At the same time, the team must move forward with the best possible players in current form. Selection cannot be emotional and cannot rely solely on past achievements.

They still remain eligible for ODI cricket and the responsibility lies with them to show intent by scoring runs in domestic games and rebuilding their form. The BCCI, on its part, needed to treat them with respect and celebrate their contributions while making tough decisions about the playing eleven.

Conclusion

The criticism of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s treatment highlights a larger issue in cricket. How should teams handle legends who are past their peak in one format but still command massive respect in others? In the case of India, both players deserve recognition for their extraordinary service, but their recent Test records did not justify automatic selection. Cricket fans may feel they were not treated as legends should be, but at the same time their own on-field performances made it difficult to defend their place.

The criticism around Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli often extends beyond their treatment to deeper questions about their cricketing future. With both now at a stage where India must plan for the next ODI cycle, it’s worth asking whether they should continue till the 2027 World Cup or make way for the next generation. You can read more about this in my detailed analysis, The Future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the 2027 World Cup.

In the end, Indian cricket must prioritize what is best for the team’s future while ensuring that legends like Kohli and Rohit are remembered with the respect they deserve. The game has always been bigger than individuals, yet it must also honor the heroes who made it special for millions. For more bold takes on Indian cricket, visit our cricket blog.