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Indian fans were disheartened by a crushing Boxing Day Test defeat, fueling calls for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s retirement.
NEW DELHI: India’s cricketing faithful were left disheartened after their team succumbed to a humiliating loss in the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The defeat has intensified calls for the retirement of veteran stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom have been the backbone of India’s batting lineup for over a decade.
The Indian team’s performance in Melbourne was far from their best, with the batting lineup failing to counter Australia’s pace-heavy attack led by Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. Sharma, India’s captain, managed only 12 and 22 in the two innings, continuing a lean patch that has plagued him throughout the series. Kohli, despite his fighting half-century in the second innings, was unable to inspire a turnaround, raising concerns about his waning consistency in the longer format.
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Former players and cricket pundits have been vocal about the need for India to look beyond Sharma and Kohli, suggesting that their prolonged struggles are hurting the team’s performance. “There comes a time in every player’s career when they need to reflect on their contributions and future. For Rohit and Virat, that time may be now,” said former head coach Ravi Shastri during a post-match analysis.
Shastri’s comments echo sentiments shared by many fans on social media, with hashtags like #KohliRetirement and #RohitTimeUp trending on Twitter. The criticism isn’t merely emotional; statistics reveal a significant dip in both players’ averages over the last two years. While Sharma has struggled to convert starts into substantial scores, Kohli’s famed ability to anchor innings seems to have diminished.
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With promising young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Ruturaj Gaikwad waiting in the wings, many believe the time is ripe for a transition. Experts argue that grooming the next generation under the guidance of senior players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane could ensure a smoother phase of rebuilding.
India’s loss in Melbourne has also jeopardized their chances in the World Test Championship, making the upcoming matches in the series even more critical. Whether Sharma and Kohli will continue to hold their spots or make way for younger blood remains to be seen. For now, the spotlight is firmly on the duo as the debate over their future in Indian cricket intensifies.
