'Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli deserved proper send-off': Anil Kumble calls out BCCI, says 'England is going to be tough'

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli hung their boots from Test cricket in the space of five days. (BCCI Photo)

Team India endured a major setback as they are about to start a brand new cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC), starting from a grueling tour of England. The Indian unit will engage in a five-match Test series, starting from June 20. This time the team will however miss the services of two stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who hung their boots from the traditional format in the space of five days. In addition, Ravichandran Ashwin too had announced retirement from international cricket midway during the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which India lost 1-3.

Reflecting on the recent retirements of the megastars of Indian cricket, former India spinner and coach Anil Kumble called out the BCCI and reckoned how they deserved a proper farewell. He also insisted that the concerned department to address why fans and players were denied the moment.

"Right now, Rohit Sharma, a few days ago and then Virat Kohli. I think all three of them deserved a proper send-off on the field. I strongly believe people who matter need to address that. I know it is a social media age, yes, the fans want to be there, there would have been plenty of fans and have a roaring send-off," Kumble said while speaking on ESPNCricinfo.

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Speaking further he also emphasised on the vacuum their absence leaves in the Test setup, especially with the England series coming up.

"Rohit has retired, he had been captain for a while and Virat is probably the most accomplished captain for India and you would have wanted one of the guys to be around. England is going to be tough, it is a five-Test... I think it must have come as a surprise to the selectors as well. I'm sure the selectors would have looked to pursue him," he added.

In the absence of the Rohit and Virat, Shubman Gill has emerged as the forerunner to take charge of the unit.