Yograj Singh on Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma retirements: 'No one is left to motivate youngsters now'

As Indian cricket begins a new chapter following the Test retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, former cricketer Yograj Singh has shared a deeply emotional and critical perspective on their exit.

Speaking to ANI, Yograj described Kohli’s retirement as a significant loss: “Virat is a big player, so it will obviously be a loss." Drawing a parallel to India’s transition phase in 2011, he added, “When many players were either removed, retired, or coerced into retirement in 2011, the team fell apart and has still not stood back up."

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While acknowledging that "everyone’s time comes," Yograj maintained that both players still had more to give. “I feel a lot of cricket is still left in Virat and Rohit," he said.

Reflecting on his son Yuvraj Singh’s retirement, Yograj shared, “I told Yuvi that it was not the right move. One should walk away from the field when one can no longer walk."

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Cautioning against a team composed solely of youngsters, he warned, “If you form a team full of youngsters, it will always fall apart." He also speculated on Kohli’s mindset, saying, “Maybe Virat feels that he has nothing more left to achieve."




Yograj was especially vocal about Rohit Sharma, remarking, “I think Rohit needed just one person to motivate him daily, for example, to go for a run at 5 AM. Rohit and Virender Sehwag are two people who retired too early."

“The greatest players should play till 50 years of age… I am sad about their retirement as no one is left to motivate the youngsters now," he concluded.

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