Gautam Gambhir Refutes Allegations Of Forcing Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli To Retire From Tests
Published - 23 May 2025, 02:28 PM | Updated - 23 May 2025, 02:33 PM
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Gautam Gambhir, India's head coach, has finally broken his silence on the Test retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli recently. This comes before the India squad for the England Test series is to be announced on May 24.
Earlier this month, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma declared their retirement from Test cricket. The India National Cricket Team will travel to England for the crucial tour without their most experienced players because both of the game's greatest batters are leaving the longest format of cricket.
Gautam Gambhir has been the target of many accusations since the legendary batsman abruptly ended his Test career earlier this month. The Indian head coach has emphasized that the choice to retire is a personal one, though.
“No One Has Right To”- Gautam Gambhir refuses reports of him forcing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to retire
The Indian head coach denied any involvement in Kohli and Rohit's retirement, stating that no coach, selector, or other individual has the authority to determine when a player should retire.
“I think, when you start the game and when you want to finish, it’s a very individual decision. No one has the right. Be it the coach or the selector, be it anyone in this country, has any right to tell someone when to retire and when not to retire. So, it comes from within,” Gambhir told CNN-News18.
Virat Kohli retired after 9230 runs in 123 Tests with 30 centuries, while Rohit made 4301 runs in 67 Tests with 12 centuries to his name.
Absence of Rohit and Kohli, a huge opportunity for youngsters to shine: Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir thinks that young players would have an opportunity to flourish during the forthcoming England tour as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma won't be playing. The head coach acknowledged that they will be without two of their more seasoned players during the intense Test series, but it also gives others a chance to show their mettle.
“And yes, we’ve got to be without two senior players to really experience players. And sometimes I believe that it’s the opportunity for some other people to put their hand up and say, Okay, I’m ready for it. So yes, it will be tough, but then there’ll be people putting their hand up for sure because this question was asked of me before,” he added.
Gambhir recalled India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 triumph in Dubai, where the team was without their premier speedster Jasprit Bumrah, but others stepped up and delivered for the Men in Blue.
Opportunity for someone else to do something special: Gautam Gambhir
Hardik Pandya gave Mohammed Shami a lot of support throughout the competition, and Varun Chakravarthy took full advantage of the situation and was instrumental in the team's victory.
Gambhir believes that, similar to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, others are prepared to perform something exceptional for the nation during the England visit without Rohit and Kohli.
“When Jasprit Bumrah wasn’t there and I said exactly the same thing, someone missing out might give another person an opportunity to do something special for the country; hopefully, there’ll be other guys waiting for that opportunity,” Gambhir signed off.
The Indian squad for the England tour is likely to be announced on Saturday, May 24.
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