Leading candidate to succeed Rahul Dravid as India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, praised Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for finishing the T20I series with a World Cup victory, stating that their exit was preferable to a predetermined plan.
Both Kohli and Rohit decided to end their careers in the shortest format after being instrumental in India’s victory in the T20 World Cup.
“They have retired with the World Cup win, and probably better than any script that was written. Both players are great. They have done a lot for Indian cricket, and congratulate them and wish them all the best,” Gambhir told PTI videos.
Gambhir, though, anticipated that the two mainstays will continue to put on outstanding performances in ODIs and Tests.
“But they are going to play two more formats – Test cricket and ODI cricket. I am sure they are going to keep contributing to the country and the team,” said the former opener.
Veteran off-spinner R Ashwin described star batsman Virat Kohli as a myth while recalling some of his greatest Twenty20I innings.
“Virat Kohli has played his last T20 game, and it has been a stellar career. The knocks I wanted to remember (of Kohli) are: the one against Australia in the quarterfinals of the 2016 T20 WC and against SA in the 2014 T20 WC semifinals. The man is actually a myth.
“Why I am not paying a big tribute to him because he has a long career ahead in two other formats. He has been playing well,” said Ashwin in his YouTube channel.
Atul Wassan, a former Indian bowler who is now a commentator, stated that Rohit and Kohli retired at the ideal moment to allow the following generation of cricketers to step up and take over
“It was bound to happen. The team needs to focus on preparing for the next World Cup. They may be great players, but if they linger, it won’t benefit the team. We need to pave the way for youngsters and groom them for the upcoming World Cup,” Wassan told PTI videos.
Wassan said the decision of Kohli and Rohit will only benefit the team in the long-run.
“I knew he (Virat Kohli) was going to retire. Age is catching up. We’ll see them playing Test cricket and ODIs. T20 requires specialists.
“I believe it’s time for India to move forward from here. Once we’ve won the cup, it’s best to progress further,” he added.
BCCI joint secretary Devajit Saikia said the victory will take Indian cricket to further heights despite two of the biggest stars moving away from T20Is.
“Fantastic win. I am sure this win will not only give a big boost to the development of cricket in India but in the other parts of the world too.
“Retirement is part and parcel of the game but this win has taken Indian cricket to a different level from today onwards,” Saikia told PTI videos.
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