It felt like old times in Ranchi today. The crowd at the JSCA International Stadium roared as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli turned back the clock in the 1st ODI against South Africa. The Indian stalwarts put on a show that reminded everyone why they are considered legends of the game.

Rohit smashed a fluent half-century, scoring 57, while Kohli was simply masterful, hammering 135 runs. This knock marked his 52nd ODI century and his 83rd international ton, steering India to a commanding total of 349/8. But amidst the fireworks and the cheering, there was an underlying tension.

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While the "Men in Blue" look invincible in white-ball cricket, the red-ball team is in crisis. Since Rohit and Kohli retired from Test cricket, the Indian Test side has struggled to find its footing. The recent 0-2 whitewash at home against South Africa was a painful reminder of the void left by these two giants. The batting lineup has looked fragile, lacking the grit and experience that Ro-Ko provided for over a decade.

This contrast between today’s dominance and the recent Test failure has fueled a firestorm of speculation. Whispers are circulating that the retirement might not be final. Rumours suggest that hurt by the team's recent humiliations, both stars might be reconsidering their decision to walk away from the longest format. The talk of the town is that they want to step in and save the sinking ship, even if just for a short stint to stabilise the transition.

Adding weight to these rumours, former England captain Kevin Pietersen took to social media to voice what many fans are secretly hoping for. He emphasised that for the sake of the sport, this possibility must be explored. KP tweeted, "I don’t always believe what I read in the media or on social media. But, if it’s half true that both Virat and Rohit are considering playing Test cricket again, then it needs to be taken very very seriously. The survival of Test cricket is a hot topic of conversation and if the biggest stars in the game are wanting to play it again, they must play!"

If there is any truth to the chatter, the cricketing world waits with bated breath. Seeing them in whites again would not just be a boost for India, but a massive win for Test cricket itself.