Former India cricketer Anil Kumble questioned the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), demanding the poor management of the Test retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The two veteran batters brought curtains down on their career in the longest form within a period of five days, with the announcement made less than a week and a half before the planned selection meeting to select the squad for the forthcoming Test tour of England.
Calls for a Proper On-Field Farewell from BCCI
Talking to ESPNCricinfo, Kumble believed both Kohli and Rohit were owed a dignified farewell from Test cricket and therefore requested the concerned department of BCCI to consider why both the duo of Indian cricket stalwarts and the fans were deprived of 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,” he said.
BCCI Under Fire for Handling Test Leadership and Timing
Kumble also raised eyebrows about the huge void created in the Indian Test side with the retirements of Kohli and Rohit, particularly with the important tour of England looming large, a nation where India have struggled to win a series in the past decade.
“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.
A New Era Set to Begin in England
In their absence, India will not just have a new captain, supposedly to be Shubman Gill, but will also have a new-look batting line-up. The five-Test tour, which will signal the start of the 2025/27 World Test Championship cycle, will start on June 20.
