Indian cricketers Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja are nearing their international retirements. The three stars bid farewell to T20 internationals after India secured the T20 World Cup. There again, as talks of the other ICC event commenced, questions were once again raised about how long they would serve Indian cricket.
According to Aakash Chopra, former India opener, in a video on his YouTube channel, this Champions Trophy would probably be the last ICC event for Rohit, Kohli and Jadeja. Indications point toward the Indian team management moving without these three superstars.
“With a heavy heart, I have to say that there’s a strong possibility,” said Chopra. “Right now there’s the Champions Trophy and then we have the next ICC event which is the World Test Championship final, where there is no way Kohli, Rohit or Jadeja will feature now. Then next year, another ICC event is there: the T20 World Cup; these three have already bid adieu to T20Is.”
“Then again, in 2027, there is the ODI World Cup- a long time hence. The world will look quite different. I think the players also feel like this could be our last (ICC) tournament and therefore it is important. Although we always say it’s never say never- maybe there’s something more-does it may be possible that Rohit, Virat, Jadeja play next year’s World Cup,” he added.
Actually, it is now not about whether Kohli and Jadeja, among the fittest Indian cricketers, can still carry on for a couple of years but rather whether the team can carry on without them.
He said: “The question isn’t whether these players can participate in the next World Cup. It is about whether the Indian cricket team can go on without it. The question should be whether India actually need these players at this moment and whether there are other options available. If this answer is yes, then move in that direction. So, I do think this is the last ICC event for Rohit, Jadeja, and Kohli,” Chopra said.
