Gautam Gambhir, the frontrunner to replace Rahul Dravid as India’s head coach, congratulated Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma on their retirement from T20 Internationals after winning the World Cup, saying it was better than the pre-scripted script. Both Kohli and Rohit retired from their careers in this format of cricket after playing important roles in India’s T20 World Cup victory. “They retired with a World Cup win which was probably better than any script that could have been written. Both players are great. They have done a lot for Indian cricket and I congratulate them and wish them all the best,” Gambhir told PTI Video M. “
Gambhir, however, hoped that both the veterans would continue to perform well in Tests and ODIs. Former opener Gambhir said, “But he will continue to play the other two formats of the game, Test cricket and ODI cricket. I am sure he will continue to contribute for the country and the team.”
Senior off-spinner R Ashwin recalled some of star batsman Kohli’s best T20 innings and said on his YouTube channel, “Virat Kohli has played his last T20 match and it was a great career. I remember Kohli’s innings. Among them was against Australia. The quarter-finals (2016 T20 World Cup) and the semi-finals of the 2014 T20 World Cup are the two other formats he is yet to play in which he has been playing well.”
Former Indian fast bowler turned commentator Atul Wasan said that Kohli and Rohit retired at the right time so that the next generation of cricketers could get a chance. “It was bound to happen. The team needs to focus on preparing for the next World Cup. He is a great player, but if he plays continuously, it would not have helped the team. We need .The youth need to prepare for the World Cup to focus on the preparation for the next World Cup.
Wasan said that Kohli and Rohit’s decision will benefit the team in the long run. He said, “I knew he (Kohli) was going to retire. Age is also increasing. We will see him playing Test cricket and ODIs. T20 needs specialists.” He said, “I think it is time for India to move on from here. Now that we have won the cup, it would be best to move on.”
Indian cricket board joint secretary Devjit Saikia said the win will take Indian cricket to greater heights, even though two of the team’s star players have said goodbye to T20 internationals. He said, “Great win. I am confident that this win will promote the development of cricket not only in India but also in other parts of the world.” He said, “Retirement is an integral part of the game. But this win has taken Indian cricket to a different level.”