Never mind Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli hanging up their T20I boots. The two greats still have a lot of cricket left in them in the other two formats. And as new India coach Gautam Gambhir said on Monday, both Rohit and Kohli are expected to play at least until the 2027 World Cup.
“Rohit and Virat have a lot of cricket left in them,” he said, in his first press conference as India coach. “Perhaps even until the 2027 World Cup.”
As Gambhir, the former India opener, took over the reins from Rahul Dravid, there has been speculation over the future of the senior cricketers in the Indian team. Rohit is 37 years of age and Kohli is 35. And when they announced their T20I retirement, it felt like they read the writing on the wall. As Kolkata Knight Riders mentor, Gambhir focused on youth. Also, there’s a perception that the new coach is averse to Indian cricket’s star culture.
But the fact of the matter is that Gambhir won’t rock the boat, at least to start with. He knows that he is taking over a very successful team, a side that is fresh from winning the T20 World Cup. In fact, one of the first texts he sent out after taking charge was to Kohli.
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“After my appointment, I and Virat Kohli had exchanged messages,” said Gambhir at the pre-departure press conference before India embark on a tour of Sri Lanka to play three T20Is and as many ODIs. That will be his first assignment as head coach.
“I had a very good relationship with him (Kohli),” asserted Gambhir. “He is a world-class athlete, a world-class cricketer. We both will work hard to win matches for our team.”
The new coach needs support from Rohit and Kohli to be successful. He knows that the key to success lies in having a happy dressing room. Ultimately, it’s the players who take centre stage, while the coach plays second fiddle.
“The most important thing for me is that players will always have my support,” said Gambhir. “A happy dressing room is important. I don’t want to complicate things. I’m taking over a very successful team.”
With the ICC Champions Trophy being held next year, and India also in pole position to make another World Test Championship final in 2025, continuity seems to be the name of the game. For now, at least.
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