In a conversation that stirred discussions around Indian cricket’s generational shift, former bowling coach Paras Mhambrey offered a forthright take on the exits of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket. The senior duo’s decision to retire from the red-ball format just before the high-profile England tour had left many questioning if the timing was premature. Virat Kohli, who announced his Test retirement on May 12, 2025, stepped away with over 8,800 runs—short of the 10,000-run milestone that once seemed inevitable. Rohit Sharma, too, followed suit, ending his Test journey quietly without any public statement. Mhambrey, who worked with both during Rahul Dravid’s tenure, believes their decisions were shaped more by self-awareness than external pressure. Speaking to the Hindustan Times, Mhamdrey said, "Virat didn't have five years of Test cricket left in him. You knew that, right? Their (Kohli and Rohit) individual battles that they fought, they must have realised that it was time." Read also: Bumrah Reacts to Kohli's IPL vs Test Cricket Comparison Motivation, Selflessness, and the Grind: Mhambrey Explains the Departure The coach pointed to a declining mental drive as the key reason. According to Mhambrey, the demands of Test cricket require not just skill, but deep motivation—something the duo possibly no longer felt in equal measure. He explained, “They always say how valuable they could be in their contribution. And sometimes, it’s the motivation bit. Maybe they were not as motivated to play that format. They’ll not be able to give their best to that format. And that’s the way they approach. So very selfless approach, both of them.” Mhambrey, who saw India lift the 2024 T20 World Cup under Rohit’s leadership, said that while their Test and T20I chapters have ended, Kohli and Rohit remain assets in ODIs. He said, “Sometimes you are not in the frame of mind to go through the grind. If I’m not there 100%, I would rather just be honest and say that, I’m good in one format. Let me focus on the other format, which I can be more useful for the team." India’s next ODI challenge begins in August in Bangladesh. All eyes will be on how the veterans respond after a long layoff since the 2025 IPL.