For months, fans have speculated about the sudden and silent Test retirements of India’s two biggest cricketing icons - Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. There was no grand farewell, no ceremonial send-off, not even a proper statement. Just abrupt exits that left more questions than answers.
Now, those questions have found new fuel.
In a surprising turn, Virat Kohli’s brother, Vikas Kohli, took to Instagram’s Threads platform and posted two explosive messages - both of which were deleted shortly after they began circulating widely. But not before screenshots made their way across social media, reigniting the debate over whether Kohli and Rohit truly chose to walk away from Test cricket - or were subtly shown the door.
In the first post, Vikas hinted that the retirements were anything but voluntary. Without naming names directly, he hinted that the team management, including the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee, of orchestrating the decision behind the scenes. He also appeared to take a veiled dig at head coach Gautam Gambhir, suggesting that leadership and selection decisions have pushed Indian Test cricket into decline.
But it was the second post that really raised eyebrows.
Here, Vikas laid out what he described as India’s flawed Test strategy - highlighting the removal of experienced players, the absence of proper No. 3, 4, and 5 batters, and the increasing reliance on bits-and-pieces all-rounders. In stark contrast, he pointed to South Africa’s approach: a structured lineup featuring specialist openers, middle-order anchors, spinners, pacers, and just one or two all-rounders - a classic Test formula still bringing them results.
“Though I really want Team India to win, questions need to be asked now… WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?” he wrote.
The posts were deleted within hours - but not before they went viral, sparking a firestorm of speculation and fan outrage.
What makes this even more explosive is the source. This isn’t just a fan’s opinion - it’s a voice from inside Kohli’s own circle. And while it’s not an official statement, the timing and tone suggest deep unrest within those close to the former captain.
India, once dominant in red-ball cricket - especially at home - is now on the verge of suffering a second home series whitewash in just 12 months. For a team that once ruled world cricket with precision and pride, the current slide feels sudden and unexplainable.
But maybe now, with these posts, the fog is starting to lift.
And if there’s any truth in these claims, Indian cricket’s biggest shake-up might already be underway.
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