“The baton has not been passed” - Former India cricketer’s huge claim on Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma ahead of ENG vs IND 2025 Tests
Former Indian cricketer Yograj Singh believes the legendary duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma had plenty left in the tank in the Test format. Yograj's remarks came after both veteran batters retired from Test cricket last month ahead of the upcoming five-match series in England, starting June 20.
As a result, Team India appointed youngster Shubman Gill as their Test captain, replacing Rohit Sharma. The first England Test will be India's first in red-ball cricket without the two senior pros in the XI since the Johannesburg Test against South Africa in early 2022.
Talking to Insidesport about the duo's sudden Test retirement, Yograj said:
"Virat and Rohit shouldn’t have retired from Tests. I told Rohit to get up at 5 AM and run for 20 km to keep himself fit. Virat and Rohit can still play for another 5 years in Test cricket. They should have played. They should be there to see that the baton is passed to the youngsters. The baton has not been passed, it has been thrown to Gill."
Yograj also mentioned trying to stop his son, Yuvraj Singh, from retiring during his career, saying:
"Even when Yuvraj was retiring I promised him that I will help him become India captain and that we will throw everybody out but he quit."
Kohli and Rohit endured a disappointing tour of Australia with the bat in India's most recent Test series. While the former averaged under 24 in five matches, the latter fared worse with an average of 6.20 in three outings.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma played key roles in India's successful tour of England in 2021/22
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma played pivotal roles the last time India played a Test series in England in 2021/22. Kohli captained the side in the first four Tests played in 2021 and helped them gain a 2-1 lead.
He also made timely contributions with the willow despite not converting them into bigger scores. Meanwhile, Rohit was India's batting star with 368 runs at an average of 52.57, including a century and two half-centuries.
However, after India took a 2-1 lead, the series got postponed to the following year due to COVID-19. Rohit missed the final Test in 2022 as India suffered a seven-wicket defeat, with Jasprit Bumrah leading them.