• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli Urged To Reconsider Retirement By Yograj Singh

Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli Urged To Reconsider Retirement By Yograj Singh

Aakash Saini

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Yograj Singh [Source: @SymbolicPareek, @RashpinderBrar3/x]Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Yograj Singh [Source: @SymbolicPareek, @RashpinderBrar3/x]

Indian cricket greats Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli both announced their retirements from Tests in the space of a week from each other earlier this month. Both legendary batters underwent a major form slump in Tests over the past year-and-a-half, with both struggling to score runs and maintaining a batting average of less than 30.

Their failures even compounded in India’s 0-3 thrashing to New Zealand at home, and a 1-3 drubbing to Australia ‘Down Under’ to concede the Border-Gavaskar Trophy title for the first time in over a decade.

Kohli, Rohit urged to reverse retirement

Former cricketer and Yuvraj Singh’s father, Yograj Singh has urged both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to reconsider their retirements. Yograj, who coached his son and even coached current players like Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, has offered to improve the fitness levels of Rohit.

While speaking with the IANS, he said:

“Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli must return from retirement to save Indian Test cricket. This is not the time to think about themselves - it's about the nation, the fans, and the deep emotions people have for the game. Virat still has at least ten years of cricket left in him. As for Rohit, if he comes to me, I will make sure he gets back in peak fitness.”

Yograj Singh also revealed that he told Yuvraj to call Virat Kohli and urge him to reverse his pre-mature Test retirement. Yograj believes that both Kohli and Rohit might regret their decision in a few years’ time. He added:

“I told Yuvi to call Virat and tell him, 'Don't make the same mistake I did'. I'm certain they'll (Rohit and Virat) look back and regret it a few years down the line. Because one day, the frustration will inevitably surface — but what will be the point then?”

Virat Kohli ended his Test career with 9,230 runs to his name from 210 innings spanning 123 Tests. His compatriot, Rohit Sharma tallied 4,301 runs in 67 matches since his debut series in 2013.

Both cricketers are currently plying their trades in the IPL 2025 season.