India, Dec. 30 -- Robin Uthappa has reopened the debate around the sudden Test retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma earlier this year, a move that caught many by surprise. The two Indian stalwarts endured an underwhelming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, with pressure mounting after consecutive series defeats against New Zealand at home and then Down Under. Both were asked to feature in the Ranji Trophy following the Australia tour, which they did. However, during the IPL, Rohit unexpectedly announced his decision via an Instagram story, and a few days later, Kohli followed suit on social media, bidding adieu to the longest format ahead of the crucial England tour.

Back then, the decision was widely seen as a forced call. Just...