Former Indian cricketer Yograj Singh made an emotional appeal to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to reconsider their recent Test cricket retirement. The 67-year-old feels that the two players’ decision to retire from the red-ball game at this moment is a bad thing for Indian cricket, particularly ahead of a tough five-match Test series against England which gets underway on June 20.
Yograj, who has guided cricketers such as Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, and his own son Yuvraj Singh, stated that both Kohli and Rohit still have a lot to give and their experience cannot be replaced.
“This is not the time to think about themselves. It’s about the country, the fans, and the emotional connection people have with Test cricket,” Yograj told IANS. “Virat still has at least ten years of cricket left in him. And if Rohit comes to me, I’ll make sure he gets back to peak fitness.”
India’s two most experienced batsmen will be badly missed on the England tour, and Yograj feels that their leadership and class are important, particularly in alien conditions.
Yograj also blamed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for not acting firmly enough to protect players during testing times in their careers. Recalling the past, he referred to the abrupt ends of stars such as Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Virender Sehwag.
“In 2011, players were left without any clarity or communication. I reprimanded Yuvraj when he retired – asked him not to succumb to pressure. He was in top shape and still had a lot to offer,” Yograj stated.
“The BCCI must behave like a parent – protect and support players, and not allow ego and politics in decision-making.”
In a personal letter, Yograj disclosed that he instructed Yuvraj to call Kohli and persuade him to reverse his decision to retire.
“I asked Yuvi to call Virat and say, ‘Don’t commit the same blunder that I did.’ I’m certain they’ll look back in some years and regret this. But then, it could be too late.”
Kohli concluded his remarkable Test career with 9,230 runs from 123 matches, scoring 46.85 on average with 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. Rohit, in contrast, completed his career with 4,301 runs from 67 Tests, with 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries at an average of 40.57.
Yograj’s appeal is a reminder of the seething passion Indian cricket fans and veterans retain for Test cricket and hope that greats like Rohit and Kohli might yet have one last chapter to deliver in the whites.
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