CA considering special farewell for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

Indian cricket legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli made headlines earlier this year when they
announced their retirement from Test cricket during the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL). The
announcement came during a break in India’s international calendar, meaning there were no
ongoing Test matches for them to make a formal farewell.
As a result, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) did not organise any official farewell
matches for either player. This left many fans disappointed, as two of India’s greatest cricketers
bowed out without the recognition they truly deserved.
Now, Cricket Australia (CA) is reportedly considering a special tribute. According to early
reports, the board is exploring the idea of arranging a farewell ceremony for the two Indian
icons during India’s upcoming tour of Australia later this year. While the proposal is still in its
early stages, it has already drawn attention from global cricket fans.
India are scheduled to visit Australia at the end of 2025 for a white-ball series that includes
three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). This will be one
of the final international tours of the year before Australia begins its high-profile Ashes series.
Cricket Australia sees this series as a major event. Given the timing, it could serve as the last
opportunity for Australian fans to watch Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli play on their soil. If that
proves to be the case, CA is keen to mark the occasion in a respectful and memorable way.
Speaking about the upcoming season, Todd Greenberg, the CEO of Cricket Australia, said:
“For the first time in nearly 20 years, each Australian capital city and regional area will host an
international match. We’re planning unique marketing strategies for each venue.”
He then hinted at the possibility of a farewell for the two Indian greats:
“If this is indeed the last time we get to see players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in
Australia, we want to make sure their contributions are recognised. Nothing is confirmed yet,
but if we get the chance, we’d love to honour them properly.”
Rohit and Kohli have both been at the heart of Indian cricket for over a decade. They’ve played
key roles in India’s success in all formats and have become global icons of the game. Their
fanbase extends far beyond India, especially in cricket-loving nations like Australia. Cricket
Australia’s gesture would be a rare but meaningful move. It would show the deep respect
shared between cricketing nations, and give fans the chance to celebrate two legends in a
fitting manner.