Indian cricket stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma find themselves at a decisive point in their careers. Having already retired from T20 internationals and Test cricket, questions loom over their future in the ODI format as well. While both legends recently cleared the BCCI’s mandatory fitness tests, cricketing experts argue that passing a test and consistently performing at the international level are two very different challenges.
Yograj Singh’s Stinging Criticism
Yograj Singh, a former cricketer and father of World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh, has opened a scathing attack on Kohli and Rohit. In a conversation with Insidesport, he stated the duo must sit and think and do the hard work necessary to live up to their position.
“I think Rohit and Virat are the best talents. But nobody is above the game,” Yograj explained. “Kohli was getting out again and again in Australia because his bat was drifting away from his body. Why wasn’t he corrected? Who will correct Rohit at 5 AM, ‘Come on boy, let’s have a 10 km run’?”
“You Are Thinking, ‘I Am The God'”
The ex-cricketer did not mince words while questioning the mentality of greats now. “Back of the mind, they are thinking, ‘I am The God. I am the greatest.’ But cricket does not tolerate complacency. Why did Don Bradman average 99.9 and others around 54–55? It’s because of discipline. Why did Sachin Tendulkar play till 43? Because he was grounded. He even played for Mumbai in Ranji Trophy matches when needed,” Yograj said.
Yograj Singh Demanding Accountability
Yograj Singh compared him with Chandrakant Pandit, famous for his no-nonsense approach as a coach in Indian domestic cricket. “If you are not doing well, you need to take a step back. Pandit once said to Mohammad Kaif, ‘Perform or quit.’ That is the mindset Indian cricket requires even today,” he said.
As per him, players like Kohli and Rohit never forget that the expectations grow with their position. “I would tell them, wake up at 5 AM, work hard, run 10 km, practice your basics. You cannot afford to lose five out of ten games at this level,” he further said.
Rohit and Virat’s ODI Future in Doubt
With the 2027 ODI World Cup nearly two years away, questions exist regarding Rohit and Kohli if they will still be on India’s radar. The workload, form, and age of the two are under the spotlight. Both, at present, remain very much a part of India’s ODI fabric, but voices like Yograj Singh’s may bring added pressure on them to perform consistently in the coming months.
A Wake-Up Call?
Yograj Singh’s remarks are a reminder that legends are not above scrutiny. Fans may still hold Kohli and Rohit in awe, but the pressure for performances on a continuous basis is unrelenting in Indian cricket. How the two legends take this scrutiny, if at all, might determine the manner in which their ODI careers end.
