 "Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma retired from Test cricket. Image: AFP")
In just four months, three prominent faces of Indian cricket have walked away from Test cricket forever. The shocking announcements came one after another, but what truly stung fans and experts was how it all ended. Virat Kohli , Rohit Sharma , and Cheteshwar Pujara all departed unceremoniously.
Former India cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth blasted the BCCI for turning its back on all three of them and not providing them the opportunity to conclude their Test stint on the ground with a farewell game.
Srikkanth’s explosive take on Kohli, Rohit’s Test retirement
Srikkanth suspected that there was a massive communication gap between the BCCI and the players, which eventually led to the legends walking away without a deserved farewell.
“If you play 100 Tests for your country, you must be a terrific cricketer,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel. “So you should be given a good send-off. I am convinced there was a big communication gap when Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired. They should have spoken to them, but instead, this is not a good look for the game and Indian cricket.”
Srikkanth further stated that Kohli had a couple of years of Test cricket left in him, but the subject has lost steam owing to the young brigade’s impressive show in England.
“Virat Kohli’s retirement happened just like that. Virat Kohli deserved a better send-off. He still had two years of Test cricket left in him. But because we drew in England, such talks about him got shut off. However, India will find it difficult to get a cricketer like Virat Kohli for some time.
Pujara could have gotten a better send-off
Weighing in on Pujara’s retirement, the former India opener reiterated that better communication and understanding between the player and the board would have ensured a more fitting farewell for the veteran batsman.
“Similarly with Pujara, though it’s been a while since he played for India, they should have spoken to him also about his retirement plans. Of course, the player also has to cooperate and realise when their time is up. Had that happened, Pujara would have gotten a better send-off. But it’s a matter of cooperation between the player, selectors, and the BCCI,” he added.