How a legendary cricketer should retire is a never-ending debate. Over the years, some have had the fortune of stepping down from the theater with a gallery of fans having a chance of seeing them for the final time, while others did not get the same opportunity. Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, although they have achieved remarkable things in their red-ball careers, announced their retirements in red-ball format during the IPL season and did not get a farewell Test. Indian cricketer Ravi Bishnoi said that he would have wanted to see them end their careers on the field.
“It is actually shocking, because you always want to see them retire from the field. For such big legends, you want them to leave while still being on the field, that looks much better. And what both of them have done for India, in my view, there is no one even close,” Bishnoi said on Game Changers podcast.
“You want them to get a good farewell, but maybe they will get that in ODIs as well whenever they leave, whenever they want to. Because no one can tell you when you will retire. But it was shocking when both of them retired, because suddenly you feel like two spots have become empty, who will come and fulfill that?” he added.
Rajiv Shukla on farewell ODI series rumours
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has dismissed talks of a farewell series of sorts for India ODI captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli when they gear up for an Australia 50-overs tour in October, adding that ‘we will cross the bridge when we get there’.
Rumour mills and reports post India’s recent Test tour to England suggested that the team management could take a call on the future of the two batting stalwarts post the three ODIs in Australia between October 19 and 25. However, Shukla dismissed all such talks and affirmed that both Rohit and Kohli remain very much in the 50-over scheme of things as the Men in Blue charter their plans for the next ODI World Cup in late 2027.
What’s next for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli?
Shri Rajeev Shukla @ShuklaRajiv (Vice President, BCCI; Director, Asian Cricket Council; MP, Rajya Sabha) shares his thoughts in a very special episode of Long Off Lounge.
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“They haven’t retired, haven’t they? Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are both playing One-Dayers. They haven’t taken retirement, so why are you talking and worrying about their farewell? Retirement from two formats, that’s the phases, but they are still playing ODIs. Don’t worry this much. BCCI policy is quite clear; we won’t ask anyone to retire, they have to make their decisions themselves. He has to take that call, and we respect that,” Rajeev Shukla said in a video shared by the UPT20 League.
“We’ll cross the bridge when we come to it. You are already arranging their farewell! Virat Kohli is very fit, and Rohit Sharma plays very well. Why are you worried about their farewell?” Shukla said in response to the hosts’ query on a potential farewell match.
