India head coach Gautam Gambhir broke the silence over Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's sudden Test retirement ahead of the red-ball series against England. Netizens blamed the head coach after the duo hung up their boots from the longest format of the game just before the five-Test match series against England, which is scheduled to start from June 20.
Gambhir clarified that it was their personal decision to announce Test retirement, and no one forced them. Rohit announced his Test retirement on May 7, while Virat retired on May 12.
"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, 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 News 18.
Former cricketers and experts believe that India needs Rohit and Kohli for the crucial red ball series against England, but Gambhir reckons that their absence might be a chance for emerging players.
"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 to me before. Champions Trophy as well," Gambhir said.
Rohit and Virat's last Test outing came in Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 where they scored 31 and 190 runs respectively. Australia defeated India 3-1 in the five-Test match series to seal their spot in the World Test Championship Final.
Since Rohit and Kohli have announced their retirements before the England series, sources close to Sports Tak revealed that Shubman Gill will be Rohit's successor to lead India in the upcoming tour and Rishabh Pant will be his deputy. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will reportedly announce India's squad for the upcoming red-ball assignment on May 24.