Gautam Gambhir expects contributions from Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma in ODI, Test after T20I retirement
The former Indian batter is likely to be named their next head coach
Former Indian batter Gautam Gambhir is expecting Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to continue contributing to the Indian cricket team in ODI and Tests after announcing their retirement from T20Is.
India won the T20 World Cup 2024 after beating South Africa in the final after which three Indian players — Kohli, Rohit and Ravindra Jadeja — announced they were quitting the shorter format.
Gambhir, who is likely to become India’s next head coach, stated that retiring after winning the World Cup is the best farewell anyone could have gotten.
“They have retired with the World Cup win, and probably better than any script that was written. Both players are great. They have done a lot for Indian cricket, and congratulate them and wish them all the best,” Gambhir told PTI videos.
Gambhir then hoped that both the star players would keep on contributing for India in ODI and Tests.
“But they are going to play two more formats – Test cricket and ODI cricket. I am sure they are going to keep contributing to the country and the team,” said the former opener.
After the final, Kohli announced his retirement immediately during a post-match ceremony saying that it is time for the next generation to take over. On the other hand, Rohit Sharma confirmed during a post-match press conference that he, too, is quitting the shorter format.
Rohit and Kohli's retirement from the T20I format was not entirely unexpected. Neither player had featured in any T20Is following India's semi-final defeat in the 2022 T20 World Cup, and they only resumed playing T20Is in January this year, with their focus on the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Kohli ended his 125-match T20I career as India's second-highest run-scorer in the format — 4,188 at an average of 48.69 and strike rate of 137.04.
Meanwhile, Rohit departed from the format as its highest scorer — 4,231 runs in 159 matches — and also holds the record for the most centuries (five) in T20 internationals. He won two T20 World Cup titles: the inaugural one as a player in 2007 and now as captain in 2024.
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