Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has finally broken his silence on the sudden Test retirements of the two Indian stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Both Kohli and Sharma decided to step down from the Test format earlier this month, raising questions of an alleged external pressure from selectors and management on the two legendary players.
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The record of the two Indian superstars over the past year in the red-ball format had come under heavy scrutiny, as both of them failed to make big scores consistently in the series against New Zealand and Australia.
Both players were expected to play in the upcoming Test series against England in June, but their sudden retirements came as a shock to many fans and experts.
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What did Gautam Gambhir say about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retirement?
Indian head coach Gambhir spoke on the abrupt retirement of the two Indian stalwarts, Kohli and Sharma, stating that retirement is a very personal decision.
Speaking to Cricket Next, Gambhir said, "I think, when you start the game and when you want to finish, it's a very individual decision. No one has the right."
He further asserted that no coach or selector in the country has the right to tell a player when to call it a day and when not to.
"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 will be working with a talented bunch of young cricketers in the upcoming England series, as he is quite confident that the new generation will step up to fill the void left by the two icons of Indian cricket.
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"And yes, we've got to be without two senior 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."
He further took the example of the Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah who missed out in the Champions Trophy triumph, as he mentioned that someone missing out might give the other player the oppurtunity to prove his worth for the country.
"Champions Trophy as well. When Jasprit Bumrah wasn't there, 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."
India takes on England in a five-match Test series starting from June 20. It will be interesting as the Indians will be without two experienced campaigners but it also creates opportunity for the next generation of youngsters to make an impact in the international cricket scene.