 "Yograj Singh has backed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to continue playing for India. Reuters")
Former India cricketer Yograj Singh has backed veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to continue playing for the country for another three-four years, noting that the two cricketers are pivotal to grooming youngsters. Both Rohit and Kohli had a forgettable Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series against Australia recently.
While Rohit scored just 31 runs from three Tests , Kohli, who scored a century in the first Test, lost his way after that and managed just 190 runs from five Tests.
‘Don’t remove Rohit from captaincy’: Yograj Singh
“I was saying that don’t remove Rohit from captaincy and nor drop Virat. We need these two legends to groom the youngsters. The team needs these two players for 3-4 years more including (Jasprit) Bumrah. We have to create a solid bench strength,” Yograj told new agency IANS.
Yograj also stressed on the importance of stability within the team. “You should never break the team. In 2011 it was started and the team was broke as the power was given to one single person. We went on to lose World Cups, multiple series and even lost three-four Test series on the trot.
“We need to take all players together as win or loss is part of sport. In Australia, India won back-to-back (Test) series and I don’t think anybody has done it except West Indies. I feel my advice has been heard by the BCCI,” added the 66-year-old.
‘Pleasing to see Abhishek back’: Yograj Singh
Yograj was happy with Abhishek Sharma’s selection in the India squad for the five-match T20 series against England that gets underway on 22 January. He also felt that Shubman Gill should have been included. “It was pleasing to see Abhishek back, he is a very big player and I see a reflection of Yuvraj Singh in his batting. The more he plays, the more he excels. I feel Shubman Gill should have also been picked,” opined Yograj.
The T20 series will be followed by a three-match ODI series against England starting from 6 February. The two teams will then switch focus to the 2025 Champions Trophy, with India playing their first match against Bangladesh in Dubai on 20 February.