The Legacy of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in Indian Cricket

NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir praised the contributions of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to Indian cricket. Their T20I careers ended on a high note with a World Cup victory, bringing a poetic end to their time in the shortest format. Despite their retirement from T20Is, Gambhir remains optimistic about their upcoming roles in Test and ODI cricket.

“They have retired with a bang, winning the World Cup, which is better than any script could have written. Both players have been phenomenal for Indian cricket, and I congratulate them on their achievements,” Gambhir told PTI.

Gambhir emphasized that Kohli and Sharma will continue to make significant impacts in Test and ODI formats. “They are still going to play in two more crucial formats – Test cricket and ODI cricket. I am confident that they will continue to contribute to the country and the team,” he added.

Veteran off-spinner R Ashwin also reflected on Kohli’s exceptional T20I career, recalling some memorable innings. “Virat Kohli has played his last T20 game, and it has been a remarkable journey. The innings that stand out for me are the ones against Australia in the quarterfinals of the 2016 T20 WC and against South Africa in the 2014 T20 WC semifinals. The man is truly a legend,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Former India pacer-turned-commentator Atul Wassan acknowledged the strategic timing of Kohli and Sharma’s retirements and emphasized the importance of nurturing the next generation of players.

“The team needs to focus on preparing for the upcoming World Cup. While they have been great players, it’s essential for the team to look ahead and groom the youngsters for the challenges ahead,” Wassan told PTI.

Wassan elaborated on how this transition benefits the team, saying, “I had a feeling that Virat Kohli would retire. Age catches up with everyone. We will see them continue to excel in Test cricket and ODIs. T20 cricket requires specialists, and I believe it’s time for India to move forward. Winning the World Cup was a great achievement, and now it’s time to progress further.”