India’s star cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma faced criticism after a disappointing series defeat to Australia. Rohit, who missed the first Test due to the birth of his child, managed only 31 runs in three matches, while Kohli scored 90 runs across eight innings. Former captain Sunil Gavaskar called for a reevaluation of the team’s commitment to Indian cricket and criticized the star culture.
The debate around Kohli and Rohit’s commitment to Indian cricket intensified as they were both criticized for not participating in domestic matches to improve their form. Kohli’s average has slipped from above 54 before 2019 to 30.72 from 2020 onwards. Gavaskar emphasized the need for total commitment to the team and called on the cricket board to prioritize Indian cricket over individual players’ preferences.
While Rohit stood down as skipper for the fifth Test, he clarified that he was not retiring from the sport. Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar highlighted that the decision of when to retire lies with the player, but selectors should determine how long a player continues to represent the team. Vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah emerged as a strong candidate to replace Rohit as Test captain following his stellar performance in Australia.
Coach Gautam Gambhir emphasized that the decision regarding the future of Kohli and Rohit lies with them and their passion for the game. Both players retired from T20 internationals last year and are expected to feature in the one-day Champions Trophy in Dubai and Pakistan. The selectors will have to make tough decisions ahead of India’s tour to England in June-July, balancing the team’s future with the star power of Kohli and Rohit.
