• Source:JND
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The BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla on Tuesday said the board is 'feeling' the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in Tests and T20Is, but re-iterated that they didn’t 'tell' them to retire. He also confirmed that both the legendary cricketers will remain 'available' for ODIs.

Rohit and Virat stunned the cricketing world with the announcements of their respective retirement from the longest format of the game, that too ahead of India's all-important tour of England. Shubman Gill has taken over as the Test captain and is currently leading the side in England for the five-Test Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

"I want to make it very clear, once and for all," Shukla told reporters on the sidelines of India men and women’s teams meet with Engand monarch King Charles III. “We all feel Rohit and Virat’s absence, but they made the decision on their own. It’s the BCCI’s policy that they don’t tell any player when they should take retirement from which format. That’s on the players. It was their decision. We’ll always feel their absence and consider them as batting greats. The good thing is they are available for ODIs," he added.

Rohit and Kohli, who retired from T20Is after India's T20 World Cup win last year, could have made their international return next month had India’s tour of Bangladesh not been canceled. Notably, there were speculations of the possibility of the veterans putting an end to their ODI career after India's title win in the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year. While the announcement didn't come, it was believed by many that the duo might continue till the ODI WC 2027.

However, they'll now have to wait till October when Australia visit here, unless the BCCI arranges a new tour in August.

While a young team is set to face challenges ahead in the ongoing transition phase, specially in the Test format, Shukla offered a voice of support for Gill. "Shubman Gill has established himself as a good Captain," he said. “He has also proved himself with the bat with so many centuries and double centuries. What can be better than that?"

On the other hand, India are 1-2 behind against England in the ongoing five-match Test series after they suffered a 22-run defeat in the third match at Lord's on the fifth day.