Kohli-Rohit retirements 'personal call', says India selector

Mumbai: The Test retirements of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were personal calls that have opened up opportunities in Indian cricket, chief...

Mumbai: The Test retirements of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were personal calls that have opened up opportunities in Indian cricket, chief selector Ajit Agarkar said on Saturday.

Top-order batter Shubman Gill has been chosen to succeed Rohit as India's Test captain, starting with the all-important five-Test tour of England in June and July.

Rohit and Kohli called time on their Test careers within the space of six days this month, adding to the void after veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin left the five-day format late last year.

"When guys like that retire, it's always going to be big holes to fill," Agarkar told reporters in Mumbai after he announced the team for the England series.

"Those three guys are stalwarts of our cricket. It's always difficult. One way of looking at it is, it's an opportunity for someone else. They've left a legacy behind."