3 Indian Test players who debuted before Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and haven't retired yet

In May 2025, Indian cricket witnessed both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announcing their retirements from Test cricket. Kohli, India’s modern-day great, ended his 14-year red-ball career after last representing the country in the New Year’s Test against Australia on January 3, 2025. Meanwhile, India's specialist opener and skipper, Rohit, also stepped away after featuring in 67 Test matches.

With both batting stalwarts moving on, many have begun to question the rare group of players who debuted before them and are yet to formally retire. Notably, only three cricketers, Ishant Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Jaydev Unadkat fall in this category. While all three of them haven't donned the Indian whites for a couple of years and continue to stay active in domestic and franchise cricket.

1. Ishant Sharma

The tall right-arm pacer, Ishant Sharma, made his Test debut in 2007, four years before Kohli and six years ahead of Rohit. At the age of 18, the Delhi pacer got his maiden national side call-up and made a name for himself instantly. One of his earliest and most iconic moments came during the 2008 Perth Test, where he troubled Australian skipper Ricky Ponting with a spell that still is fresh in many minds.

In his long Test career, Ishant has picked 311 wickets in 105 matches, making him the second Indian pacer after Kapil Dev to play 100 Test matches for India. Though his early years were hampered by injuries and poor form, especially a troubling ankle that required surgery in 2012, post-2014 he became a regular member of the side and excelled under Kohli's leadership.

He led the attack in India’s historic 2018 Test series win in Australia and produced memorable spells in England, including a match-winning 7/74 at Lord’s in 2014. His ability to bowl long spells made him different on challenging tracks. While he has not played for India since 2021, the 36-year-old continues to play for Delhi in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and is currently part of the Gujarat Titans squad in the IPL 2025. Notably, he has also turned into a commentator, and his chances of making a comeback are slim.