Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma shocked everyone by suddenly announcing their retirement from Test cricket last year in May, just before India’s tour of England. Since then, there have been massive theories around the two of India’s biggest icons’ Test retirements.
Blame game around Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir or Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma’s Test retirement
Many have been blaming the chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, and head coach, Gautam Gambhir, for their sudden exit from the Test format, but former India pacer Sudeep Tyagi has stepped in to clear the air and take the heat off them, as there were rumours that they would be removed from ODIs as well.
Tyagi made it clear that there was no forceful removal of Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli from the Test team. He strongly dismissed all talk about coaches or selectors planning to push the two legends out, stressing these stories are only rumours and have no truth.
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Sudeep Tyagi dismisses all removal rumours
He explained that differences of opinion between players, coaches, and selectors are normal in sports and that does not mean anyone has bad intentions. Tyagi believes that such discussions often help teams take better collective decisions, and this is exactly what happened in this case.
Sudeep Tyagi said in an exclusive interview with CricketAddictor, “No, I don’t think so. These are all rumors. It’s all nonsense that they have removed them. It’s nothing like that. It’s possible that sometimes you don’t share your views with anyone. It doesn’t mean that they think ill of you.”
Personal call taken by Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
The former CSK bowler believes that the final call was taken by Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma themselves. He stressed that if a player keeps performing well, no selector or coach has the power to remove him from the team and also called all the chatter nonsense.
Tyagi further explained, “When you have different opinions, you get good results collectively. I think that’s what happened. At that time, their form was not that good. Everyone knows that. They were struggling, but it is nothing like the coaches and selectors removing Virat and Rohit or asking them to leave. It’s nonsense. It’s their individual and personal decision. I think they must have talked to the selectors or Gauti Bhai.”
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Tyagi feels Kohli and Rohit quit Tests too early
However, Tyagi feels the retirement decision came earlier than expected, as he believes that Kohli could have easily played another 40 to 50 Test matches, considering his stunning fitness, sharp running between the wickets, and high energy in the field even now.
He also feels Rohit could have played another 30 to 40 Test matches. The former bowler also noted that even if they don’t play domestic cricket, nobody can remove them from the team.
2027 World Cup door wide open for Rohit and Kohli: Tyagi
Speaking about the 2027 World Cup, Tyagi said that if Rohit and Kohli stay fit and keep scoring runs, their place in the team cannot be questioned. He noted that performance and fitness are the only real filters at the international level. As long as a player delivers, his place is safe.
He signed off by saying, “I want them to play in both the World Cup. But it is in 2027. So, it’s about fitness and performance for them now.”
