Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has broken his silence on the Test retirement of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli ahead of the upcoming five-match Test series against England in June. Their retirement leaves a massive void in India’s batting attack, though it presents an opportunity for the young guns to make their mark. While Gambhir emphasised that departures of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will present a huge challenge, he also posed his faith in the youngsters to step up to the challenge in the absence of India's decorated stars.
“I think when you start the game and when you want to finish, it’s a very individual decision. No one has the right—be it the coach, the selector, or anyone in this country—to tell someone when to retire and when not to retire. It comes from within,” Gambhir said on CNN-News 18.
“And yes, we’ve got to be without two senior players—two really experienced players. Sometimes, I believe that it’s an opportunity for someone else to put their hand up and say, ‘Okay, I’m ready for it.’ So yes, it will be tough, but there will be players putting their hands up for sure."
Gambhir gave the example of Jasprit Bumrah, who missed the Champions Trophy due to injury issues, but India still won the title, overcoming bowling challenges.
This question was asked to me before the Champions Trophy as well, when Jasprit Bumrah wasn’t there. I said exactly the same thing: someone missing out might give another person an opportunity to do something special for the country. Hopefully, there will be other guys waiting for that opportunity.”