‘Its about the nation…’: Former India cricketer on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Test retirement

Former India cricketer Yograj Singh said that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli should reconsider their decision to retire from Test cricket. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their retirement from the longest format earlier this month. Their retirement has left the Indian team without any experienced players for the upcoming five-match series against England, which begins on June 20.

Yograj Singh, who has previously trained several youngsters like Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, along with his son Yuvraj Singh, said that Kohli still has a few more years left in him to play Test cricket.

“Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli must return from retirement to save Indian Test cricket. This is not the time to think about themselves – it’s about the nation, the fans, and the deep emotions people have for the game. Virat still has at least ten years of cricket left in him. As for Rohit, if he comes to me, I will make sure he gets back in peak fitness,” Yograj told IANS on Tuesday.

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The 67-year-old said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India should support the player during their rough patch rather than putting extra pressure on them.

“Back in 2011, players like Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Virender Sehwag were dropped without any clear reason. When Yuvraj retired, I scolded him – I told him not to give in to pressure. He was, and still is, incredibly fit. Cricketers should fight for their place in the team instead of surrendering to external pressures.” he said

“The BCCI must act like a parent – protect and support their players, not let ego or politics dictate decisions,” he added.

Yograj Singh also mentioned that he has asked Yuvraj Singh to speak with Virat Kohli and convince him to reconsider his decision, warning that he might regret it later.

“I told Yuvi to call Virat and tell him, ‘Don’t make the same mistake I did’. I’m certain they’ll (Rohit and Virat) look back and regret it a few years down the line. Because one day, the frustration will inevitably surface but what will be the point then?’

Kohli ended his 14-year-old illustrious Test career with 9,230 runs in 123 matches at an impressive average of 46.85 with 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries whereas Rohit Sharma ended his red-ball career with 4301 runs in 67 matches, including 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries, at an average of 40.57.