Cricket, beyond the boundaries and statistics, is an emotional sport. It thrives on sentiment, on legacies etched through moments of triumph, heartbreak, and reverence for the greats who have graced the field. However, one crucial aspect where Indian cricket seems to lack clarity is its approach to retirements.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does not have a definitive policy for honoring retiring cricketers. This inconsistency was highlighted in 2013 when the board granted Sachin Tendulkar’s wish to play his farewell Test in Mumbai, his home ground—a poetic conclusion for a legend.
Yet, fast-forward to the present, the treatment of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli starkly contrasts that precedent. Though neither publicly expressed the desire for a ceremonial farewell, the board could have shown a similar gesture, recognizing their immense contribution to Indian cricket.Media reports suggest that the BCCI didn’t persuade them to stay, raising questions about the selectors’ intentions. If they were indeed part of the team’s long-term vision, why didn’t the duo announce their retirements after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia?
It is learnt that Virat wanted to play the England series and Rohit was fit and ready to lead the side but the head coach Gautam Gambhir and Agarakar’s selection committee said a clear “No”.
For Virat Kohli, who was no longer captain at the time of his Test retirement, the chance to bid adieu to his fans on the field was lost. Would the new captain have provided him with a final moment in the spotlight—perhaps sending him out for the toss or allowing him to lead the team onto the pitch? Such gestures carry symbolic weight, immortalizing a player’s contribution. Kohli and Rohit will now miss the emotional guard of honor, the heartfelt salutes from teammates, opposition players, and even the umpires—an omission that stings in the hearts of cricket lovers.
Anil Kumble, among others, has expressed that these legends deserved a more dignified send-off. After all, cricket is not just a game played with bat and ball—it is a saga written with respect, admiration, and moments that live on beyond retirement.
As the dust settles on RoKo’s illustrious careers, the debate lingers: Did Indian cricket let its two modern greats exit without the glory they had earned?
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