"It's a personal choice": Gautam Gambhir breaks silence on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's Test retirement

In a move that has stirred the cricketing fraternity, Indian cricket stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli recently announced their retirement from Test cricket, prompting widespread speculation and reactions from fans and experts alike.

Amidst swirling rumours that the decision was influenced or even enforced by the selection committee, Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has finally addressed the matter publicly, calling the retirements a “very individual decision.”

Speaking during an exclusive interaction with Cricket Next, Gambhir emphasized that no external body or individualbe it the coach, selectors, or administration - holds the authority to dictate a player’s retirement timeline. “When you start the game and when you want to finish, it's a very individual decision. No one has the right,” Gambhir stated. He further underscored the importance of personal choice in such matters, adding, “Be it the coach, the selector, be it anyone in this country, has any right to tell someone when to retire and when not to retire. So it comes from within.”

The timing of the dual retirements has coincided with India’s preparations for a crucial Test series against England. The absence of Kohli and Rohit, two pillars of India's batting order for over a decade, leaves a significant void in the squad. Gambhir acknowledged the challenge of moving forward without the two veterans but remained optimistic about the opportunities it presents to younger players.

“Yes, we've got to be without two senior players. And sometimes I believe that it's the opportunity for some other people to put their hand up and say, 'Okay, I'm ready for it',” Gambhir said. He drew parallels with India’s recent Champions Trophy campaign where the team had to play without ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah. “When Bumrah wasn’t there, I said exactly the same thing: someone missing out might give another person an opportunity to do something special for the country,” he noted.

The upcoming series against England will be a litmus test for the revamped Indian side. With not just Kohli and Rohit, but also Ravichandran Ashwin out of the red-ball setup, the onus will be on emerging talents to seize the moment and deliver. Gambhir, known for his pragmatic leadership style and forthright opinions, appears committed to nurturing the next generation of Test cricketers.