EXCLUSIVE | 'Hopefully, there'll be other guys...': Gautam Gambhir opens door for youngsters after Kohli-Rohit retirement

Gautam Gambhir opens door for youngsters. (Photo: BCCI)

India men's cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir has stated that retirement is a personal decision, and neither the country nor the cricket board should interfere with a player’s choice.

Following the recent Test retirements of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, India will head into the upcoming five-match Test series in England—starting June 20—without their most experienced batters.

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“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, be it anyone in this country has any right to tell someone when to retire and when not to retire. So it comes from within," Gautam Gambhir told CNN-News18 in an exclusive interview.

Addressing their absence, Gambhir said it opens the door for young players to rise to the occasion and make their mark.

“And yes, we’ve got to be without two senior players to really experience players. And sometimes I believe that it’s the opportunity for some other people to put their hand up and say, Okay, I’m ready for it. So yes, it will be tough, but then there’ll be people putting their hand up for sure because this question was asked to me before. Champions Trophy as well. When Jasprit Bumrah wasn’t there and I said exactly the same thing, someone missing out might give another person an opportunity to do something special for the country, hopefully, there’ll be other guys waiting for that opportunity," he said.

Virat Kohli wrapped up his Test career with an impressive 9,230 runs from 123 matches, averaging 46.85. His record includes 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries.

Rohit Sharma, on the other hand, finished his red-ball journey with 4,301 runs in 67 Tests, averaging 40.57. His tally features 12 centuries and 18 fifties.