Yograj Singh Rips into Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for Abrupt Test Departures as India Targets Huge Series in England

Yograj Singh has again landed in the news by opening his mouth. This time he has questioned seriously the choices made by two of India's largest cricketing idols. Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma had gone ahead and announced their retirement from Test cricket just prior to the Indian squad being announced for the mega five-match Test series against England. Their decision hasn't been received well by many like Yograj, who believes that both of their exits were not only unexpected but also harmful for Indian cricket. He feels that the players were still capable of giving more in the format and could have played for another five or so years.

The ex-cricket player is very confident that both Rohit and Virat could have played Test cricket for another five years at least. He opined in a recent interview that he himself told Rohit to wake up early and go for a long run to keep himself fit. Yograj expressed that fitness was not a problem for either of them and both possessed the talent and the mental toughness to lead India in the longer version for longer. He seemed dejected and upset at their choices and felt it was the wrong signal to send to the young players who look up to them.

What has really enraged Yograj is the manner in which the baton was transferred or rather not transferred to the next generation. He explained that cricketing heroes are obligated to mentor the younger lot prior to retirement. Yograj cited the example of Sourav Ganguly who painstakingly groomed the subsequent line of players before retiring. Contrarily he opines that Kohli and Rohit departed without leaving the team in safe hands. He further commented that instead of handing over the baton it was hurled towards young Shubman Gill who is now assuming an enormous burden as the new Test captain.

Gill at a mere 25 years and 258 days will be captaining India in a high-stakes Test series against England. He is the fifth-youngest captain India has had in the format and will have to acclimatize himself to the role at the earliest. With high-profile games scheduled to take place at historic grounds like Edgbaston Lord's Old Trafford and The Oval the job is anything but simple. India have not won a Test series in England since 2007 and the tour will also signal the start of their campaign in the fresh World Test Championship cycle between 2025 and 2027. The pressure is huge and many feel that veteran captains like Rohit and Virat could have brought stability at such a crucial juncture.

Rishabh Pant will be the vice-captain for this Test series and his return is a huge advantage for the team. But the leadership unit is now extremely young and there are many who think that the team has moved into a transition phase without the right leadership that typically comes at such times. Yograj's worry is that the abrupt departure of the old guard has left the new captain with minimal backup at the helm. This might affect not only the performance in the England series but also determine the trajectory of Indian Test cricket in the years to come.

Providing a personal touch Yograj also related a personal anecdote from his life concerning his son Yuvraj Singh. He remembered that he had also attempted to persuade Yuvraj not to retire when he did. Yograj asserted that he had a blueprint in mind to pursue Yuvraj towards the Indian captaincy and was prepared to fight for him but Yuvraj chose to walk away nonetheless. Yograj appears to connect this remorse with what he is presently experiencing regarding Virat and Rohit's choices. To him players must take charge and retire only when they have contributed as much as they could to ensure the future of the team.

Though fans would have wished Rohit to leave soon because of his age and increasing emphasis on shorter formats Virat's announcement was shocking for most. He has been the face of Indian Test cricket for more than a decade and his love for the format was never hidden. His surprise retirement has left a vacancy in the team's middle order and his leadership figure will also be missed. It is a huge change and people are divided on whether this was the correct time to retire.

The move has generated extensive debate among fans experts and retired players. Some feel that change is needed and it is wise to retire while fit. Others side with Yograj Singh who feels that this change has happened too soon and without a suitable plan. There is little doubt that both Rohit and Kohli were cornerstones of Indian Test cricket and that their experience would have been hugely valuable in a difficult away series such as the one in England.

With the England tour just around the corner all eyes are now on Shubman Gill and his young side. The opportunities are few and the expectations are high. Gill's leadership and performance will be scrutinized every inch of the way during the series. How this new dawn unfolds in Indian Test cricket could well define how people remember the departure of the two greats.

Yograj Singh's words might sound bitter to a few but they bear a deep concern for Indian Test cricket's future. He wishes legends to set examples till the last moment and ensure the next generation is well equipped. Whether you believe what he says or not the effect of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's retirement will be felt for an extended period and how India plays in the coming England series might provide the first real answer as to whether this new bold era starts on a successful or troubled note.