Gautam Gambhir, who is the frontrunner to replace Rahul Dravid as India’s head coach, congratulated Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for retiring from T20 Internationals after winning the World Cup, saying that it was better than the pre-written 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 was written. Both players are fantastic. They have done a lot for Indian cricket and I congratulate them and wish them all the best,” Gambhir told PTI Video. Am.”
Gambhir, however, expressed hope that both the legends will 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 to the country and the team.”
Senior off-spinner R Ashwin, while remembering some of the best T20 innings of star batsman Kohli, said on his YouTube channel, “Virat Kohli has played his last T20 match and he had a great career in it. I remember the innings of Kohli. Among them are the quarter-final against Australia (2016 T20 World Cup) and the 2014 T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa. He has yet to play in two other formats in which he has a long career. He is 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 can get a chance. Wasan told ‘PTI Video’, “This was bound to happen. The team needs to focus on preparing for the next World Cup. He is a great player, but if he had kept playing, it would not have benefited the team. We need to focus on preparing for the next World Cup. There is a need to prepare youngsters for the World Cup for whom space will have to be made.”
Wasan said that the decision of Kohli and Rohit will benefit the team in the long run. He said, “I knew that he (Kohli) was going to retire. Age is also increasing. We will see him playing Test cricket and ODI. T20 requires specialists.” He said, “I believe 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’s Joint Secretary Devjit Saikia said that this victory 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 victory. I am confident that this victory 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.”