Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (Source:@myyynotebook,x.com)
As India gears up for their five-match Test series against England starting June 20 in Leeds, former England cricketer Geoffrey Boycott has stirred conversation with a bold take on the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Writing in his column for The Telegraph, Boycott suggested that while both players leave behind massive legacies, Kohli’s absence will be felt more than Rohit’s in the upcoming series.
He also acknowledged Rohit’s elegance as a stroke player and his contributions as a captain but argued that the opener’s recent form and physical limitations made his exit from the longest format more understandable and less impactful.
"Rohit was never a natural athlete like Kohli and he knows that opening the innings in England can be pretty tough because the new ball moves around more. You really have to be up for the challenge to have any chance of success. I just think that over time the wear and tear of opening the innings and being captain in all three formats wore him down," he added.
Mental Fatigue Behind Virat Kohli’s Exit?
On Kohli, Boycott offered a more different perspective, hinting that the Indian batting maestro may have been mentally fatigued after years of performing at the highest level across all formats.
“With so much international cricket played by India, and so little rest, it takes its toll and the mind becomes fatigued. It does not matter how much talent or experience you have, if you are not mentally fresh and up for the challenge, then it becomes draining,” Boycott wrote for The Telegraph.
Virat Kohli’s retirement came just few days after Rohit Sharma announced his own departure from the longest format.
India To Play Without Rohit And Kohli
The retirement of Kohli and Rohit marks the end of an era in Indian Test cricket. For the first time in over a decade, India will field a Test XI without either of the stalwarts. Shubman Gill has been named India’s new Test captain, with Rishabh Pant serving as his deputy. According to several reports and as stated by Pant himself, Gill is also set to take over the crucial No. 4 spot in the batting order, while Pant will continue at No. 5.
 "Sakshi Sharma")
