Anil Kumble on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Retirement: Former captain Anil Kumble expressed surprise at Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s silent Test retirement. He said that both the legends should have been given a respectable farewell on the field.
Anil Kumble on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Retirement: Former Indian captain and great spinner Anil Kumble is surprised by Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s silent retirement from Test cricket just before the England tour. He believes that both these senior batsmen should have been given farewell on the field. Kohli retired from Test cricket on Monday, scoring 9230 runs in 123 matches including 30 centuries at an average of 46.85. Earlier, last Thursday, Rohit had said goodbye to the traditional format.
Kumble told ESPN Cricinfo, “It is a big surprise. Two great players passed away in a gap of a few days. I did not expect this. I am shocked. I thought he could still play Test cricket for a few more years.” He said, “Now he will only play one-day format. No player leaves with regret and I am sure he must have thought a lot about it. Ultimately it is his decision.”
Kumble, who took the most 619 Test wickets for India, said that players of this stature should get a chance to bid farewell in front of the fans. Kumble said, “He left very quietly. Every player should bid farewell in his own way but from the field. We had said the same thing at the time of R Ashwin’s retirement too. He announced his retirement in the middle of the series and returned to India from Australia.”
He said, “I think these three (Rohit, Virat and Ashwin) should have been given farewell from the field. I believe the officials should think about it. I know this is the age of social media and fans would want to see them bid farewell in front of them.”
The Indian team is to tour England for five Tests starting June 20 and Kumble said that Kohli could have played an important role on this challenging tour. He said, “Rohit has retired and has been the captain for a long time. Virat has been India’s most successful Test captain and one of these two should have been on that tour. The England tour will be difficult.”
India’s fast bowler Mohammad Siraj wrote on Instagram, “Congratulations on a wonderful Test career. Your legacy will always remain. You have inspired and will continue to inspire many cricketers like me, Bhaiya.” He wrote, “The dressing room will not be the same without you. Thank you for always supporting and inspiring me. Best wishes Virat Bhaiya.” At the same time, experienced fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar wrote, “The way Virat captained in the Test format, he should be credited for bringing about a change in the team. He plays aggressively and that aggression is needed somewhere in the Test format as well.”
PC:Prabhat Khabar
