Both those guys have a lot of cricket left in them: Gautam Gambhir
In the latest press conference, India’s newly appointed Head Coach Gautam Gambhir took center stage. Gambhir, who succeeded the illustrious Rahul Dravid, confidently addressed the achievements and performances of Indian cricket’s present-day stalwarts, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, in both the T20 World Cup and the 50-over World Cup.
Gambhir remarked on the duo’s decision to retire from T20Is following the historic final in Barbados, emphasizing that they still had substantial cricket left in them. He expressed optimism that with the upcoming tour Down Under and the Champions Trophy scheduled for November 2024 and February 2025, respectively, both players would be sufficiently motivated to maintain peak form. Gambhir also conveyed hope that should they preserve their physical conditioning, Rohit and Kohli could both potentially feature in the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
“I think they have shown what they can deliver on the big stage, whether it’s the T20 World Cup or the 50-over World Cup as well. One thing I can be very clear of is that both those guys have a lot of cricket left in them. More importantly, with the Champions Trophy and a big tour of Australia, obviously they would be motivated enough. And then, hopefully, if they can keep their fitness, the 2027 [ODI] World Cup as well,” stated Gambhir at his first press conference at the Grand Hyatt Hotel at the Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai.
Obviously, any team would want to have both of them for as long as possible: Gambhir
However, Gambhir acknowledged that despite the collective desire for the duo to remain active for as long as possible, the decision ultimately rested with the cricketers themselves. He emphasized that the primary consideration was their ability to contribute to the team’s success, underscoring that the team’s interests were paramount. Gambhir expressed his belief that Kohli and Rohit still had a significant amount of cricket left to play. He lauded them as “world-class players,” noting that any team would be fortunate to have them perpetually.
“But, this is a very personal decision. I can’t say how much cricket is left in them. Ultimately, it’s up to them as well, it’s up to the players. How much can they contribute to the team’s success. Because, ultimately, it’s the team that is important. But, looking at what Virat and Rohit can deliver, I think they still have a lot of cricket [left to play]. They’re still world-class players and obviously any team would want to have both of them for as long as possible,” added Gambhir.
The newly established coaching team is confronted with an immediate challenge as the Sri Lankan tour commences on July 27, encompassing three T20Is and three ODIs. This series inaugurates a densely-packed international schedule for India, which includes a home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, culminating in a five-match Test series in Australia later in the year.
