As discussions surrounding retirement grow louder, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been advised to formulate an exit plan for star batter Virat Kohli. The call for a succession strategy comes in light of both Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s performances during the ongoing Test series in Australia, which have raised questions about their futures in the longest format of the game.
Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket
Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket appears imminent following the conclusion of the Australia tour, while Kohli’s situation remains more uncertain. Former Indian cricketer Atul Wassan has emphasized the need for the BCCI to be proactive in preparing for Kohli’s potential exit, especially given the 36-year-old’s ongoing struggles with form.
Kohli has already stepped away from T20 internationals, and his Test career is now under scrutiny. Wassan noted that while Kohli has shown glimpses of his past brilliance, the prolonged period of underperformance is becoming detrimental to the team. “Virat has got runs, but he also knows what’s happening. They are very sorted mentally. A player always thinks that ‘my best is around the corner.’ It’s such a long spell; it’s hurting the team,” Wassan told media.
He further stressed the importance of having a clear succession policy in place, stating, “It’s not fair on the management, the team, and the cricketing structure if we don’t know what’s there in your mind.”
Kohli has faced challenges with deliveries outside off-stump throughout the series, and although he managed to score 36 runs in the first innings of the MCG Test, he was dismissed chasing similar deliveries in both innings. Ahead of the fourth Test, Kohli acknowledged his lack of discipline on Australian pitches. With only the Sydney Test remaining, another disappointing performance could compel Kohli to reconsider his future in red-ball cricket, particularly in light of the impressive performances from younger players on the tour.
