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Indian cricket legend Kapil Dev weighed in on the potential retirement timelines of two of modern cricket’s greatest stars, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. His comments have sparked widespread discussion among fans and pundits, as both players continue to excel at the highest level of the sport.
Kapil Dev’s thoughts on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s retirement plans
Speaking to MyKhel, Kapil stated that retirement is a personal choice, citing examples of Ravi Shastri, who retired early, and Sachin Tendulkar, who had a longer career. He emphasized that it’s up to each individual to decide their path in life. For him, the key is to stay fit and continue playing as long as one enjoys the game.
“Ravi Shastri retired at a very early age, while Sachin Tendulkar had a longer stint. So, it is completely up to the individual to decide their ways of life. My way of thinking is to stay fit and keep playing as long as you are enjoying the game,” said Kapil.
Kapil, who captained India to their first-ever World Cup victory in 1983, emphasized that the longevity of a player’s career is primarily determined by their fitness.
“In my opinion, the period between 26 and 34 years is your prime, and thereafter the fitness of the players will ensure their longevity,” the World Cup-winning captain added.
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Kohli and Rohit: Legends of the modern game
Kohli and Rohit are widely regarded as two of the finest cricketers in the history of the sport. Their extraordinary partnership has led to some unforgettable moments for Indian cricket, and their combined achievements have placed them among the game’s elite.
Together, Kohli and Rohit have become one of the most iconic duos in cricket history. Their on-field partnership has yielded 7,606 runs across all formats, ranking them 10th overall in the history of the sport, of these, 5,280 runs have come in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), making them the sixth-highest run-scoring pair in ODI history. Their understanding on the field, along with their ability to complement each other’s style, has been a significant factor in India’s success over the last decade.
Most recently, the duo announced their retirement from T20 Internationals (T20Is) after India clinched the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup final against South Africa in June 2024. This victory was a fitting finale for their T20I careers, as they led India to a historic win.
Current focus: Test series against Bangladesh
While their T20I chapter has come to a close, Kohli and Rohit remain focused on the ongoing two-match Test series against Bangladesh. India currently leads the series 1-0, following a strong performance in the first Test. The second and final match will take place on September 27th at Green Park in Kanpur.
As fans eagerly await the outcome of the series, questions about the future of these two cricketing giants remain. However, as Kapil pointed out, the decision to retire will ultimately lie in the hands of Kohli and Rohit. For now, Indian cricket enthusiasts can continue to enjoy the remarkable contributions of these two legends.
With their illustrious careers still in full swing, the cricket world is left to wonder how much more magic Kohli and Rohit will produce before they decide to hang up their boots.
