India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has finally spoken out following the high-profile retirements of these two cricketing legends. His statement comes just before the official announcement of India’s squad for the Test series against England, set to begin on May 24.
Earlier this month, both Kohli and Rohit announced their retirements from the longest format, marking the end of an era for Indian Test cricket. With the exit of two of India’s most iconic and accomplished batsmen, the team now faces a challenging England tour without its seasoned veterans.
Since the announcements, Gautam Gambhir has been at the center of rumors suggesting he influenced their decisions. However, he has firmly denied any involvement, emphasizing that retirement is a personal choice made by the players themselves.
“No One Has the Right To Decide” – Gautam Gambhir Denies Forcing Rohit and Kohli’s Retirement
In an interview with CNN-News18, Gautam Gambhir firmly rejected claims that he pressured Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli to retire from the format.
Gautam Gambhir emphasized, “The decision of when to start and when to stop playing is entirely personal. No one—be it a coach, selector, or anyone else in this country—has the authority to dictate a player’s retirement.”
Virat Kohli concluded his Test career with 9,230 runs across 123 matches, including 30 centuries. Rohit Sharma finished with 4,301 runs in 67 Tests, scoring 12 centuries.
Gambhir Sees Rohit and Kohli’s Absence as a Golden Chance for Young Players to Shine
Gambhir is optimistic about the fresh opportunities opening up for India’s younger cricketers with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli missing from the upcoming England series. As head coach, he believes this is an ideal moment for emerging talent to prove themselves on the big stage.
“We’ll certainly miss two of our most experienced players. But sometimes, such situations create the perfect platform for others to step forward and declare, ‘I’m ready.’ It won’t be easy, but I’m confident we’ll witness players rising to the challenge. I’ve said this before,” Gambhir remarked.
Gautam Gambhir cited India’s triumph at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai as a recent example. Despite the absence of their leading fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, the team clinched the title thanks to crucial contributions from players like Hardik Pandya, who supported Mohammed Shami, and Varun Chakravarthy, whose breakthrough performance was pivotal.
Drawing a parallel to that success, Gambhir expressed confidence that the same spirit would emerge during the England tour, with new players stepping up in the absence of key stars.
“When Bumrah was sidelined, I said the same thing—one player’s absence creates an opportunity for another to shine for the country. I believe there are players ready now to seize their moment,” Gambhir concluded.