“Eligible on-field sand-off: Anil Kumble left Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma’s test retirement

Before the tour of England, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s “cool” test retirement retirement came as a “huge surprise” for the legendary spinner and former India captain Anil Kumble, believing that the two senior batsmen were entitled to an on-field farewell. Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday, bringing the curtain down in a brilliant red-ball career, with 123 matches, scoring an average of 9,230 runs in 46.85 including 30 centuries. This was after Rohit decided to move away from the longest format last Thursday.

Kumble said on Kohli on ‘ESPNcricinfo’, “This is a huge surprise. Two outstanding, great players are retiring on a few days back. I have not seen it coming. It has definitely caught me from the guard. I felt that he had a few more years left, especially at the test level,” said Kohli on ESPNCinfo.

“He is now playing only one -day format. No player comes out with any regret and I am sure he would have thought through it and eventually it’s a player’s call.”

Kumble, who ended India’s leading Test wickets with 619 scalps, said that such height players should have been given an opportunity to bow to fans.

“This is a very quiet exit. Each player is eligible to leave on his terms, but I think on the field. We talked about when R. Ashwin retired with Ashwin, in the middle of the series, he declared his retirement and returned (India from Australia).

“Right now, Rohit Sharma a few days ago and then Virat Kohli. I think the three of them were worth sending a fair to the field. I am confident that those who need to address this. I know it is a social media age, yes, fans want to be there, a lot of fans and will have to send a Roaring.

India is going to visit England for the five -match Test series starting on June 20. Kumble said that Kohli could play an important role during a challenging assignment.

“Rohit has retired, he was the captain for some time and Virat is probably the most skilled captain for India and you wanted one to stay around.

“England is going to be difficult, it’s a five-observation … I think it must have come as a surprise for the selectors. I am sure the selectors would have seen him to pursue it.”

The dressing room will not be the same: Siraj

Pesar Mohammad Siraj of India paid a great tribute to his former captain Kohli.

Sirj wrote on ‘X’, “Congratulations for this amazing career that you had in Test cricket. Your heritage will be forever.”

“You have inspired the generations of cricketers like me and will continue to do so with your achievements and how you have done yourself.

“The dressing room will not happen without you. Thank you for always supporting me and motivating me to do good. Pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar of veteran India also appreciated the partner of his India and Royal Challengers Bangalore team to change the Test team.

He said, “The way Virat captained the test format, he deserves credit for the way we transformed into a team,” he said in a release.

“I think the reason for this is the nature of Virat on the ground. He is aggressive, we all know that, and in test cricket, you need that nature, because Test cricket is a format that lasts for five days.”

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