“Greatest players should play till 50 years of age”: Yograj Singh’s take on Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma’s Test retirement

In what many are calling the end of an era, India’s batting titans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have both stepped away from Test cricket within a span of five days, creating a significant vacuum in India’s red-ball setup. The shock exits, particularly ahead of India’s England tour that marks the beginning of a new World Test Championship cycle, have drawn strong reactions from the cricketing world — none more passionate than that of former India cricketer Yograj Singh.

In an interaction with ANI on Wednesday (May 14), Yograj Singh, known for his outspoken and emotional takes on Indian cricket, delivered a heartfelt and critical analysis of the timing and implications of both retirements.

“Virat Is a Big Player, It’s Obviously a Loss”

Yograj, while acknowledging that time eventually catches up with every cricketer, stressed the monumental impact Kohli has had on Test cricket.

“Virat is a big player, so it will obviously be a loss,” he said, highlighting how Kohli’s passion and consistency in the longest format had inspired an entire generation.

Kohli, who finished his Test career with 9,230 runs, 30 centuries, and an average of 48.65, was widely seen as a flagbearer for Test cricket in a T20-dominated era.

Drawing Parallels With the 2011 Transition Phase

Yograj also recalled the chaotic transition India experienced in 2011 when a slew of retirements from legends like Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, and later Sachin Tendulkar left the Test team in disarray.

“When many players were either removed, retired, or coerced into retirement in 2011, the team fell apart and has still not stood back up,” he said, implying that history may be repeating itself.

“Still a Lot of Cricket Left in Rohit and Virat”

Unlike many who have accepted the retirements as a natural conclusion, Yograj Singh believes both Kohli and Sharma still had enough fuel in the tank to carry on.

“I feel a lot of cricket is still left in Virat and Rohit,” he said. “One should walk away from the field only when one can no longer walk.”

Reflecting on his own son Yuvraj Singh’s retirement from international cricket, Yograj recalled telling him it was the wrong move, implying that some players bow out due to pressure or poor handling by the system rather than true decline in form or fitness.

“Team Full of Youngsters Will Fall Apart”

In an age where selectors and team management often look to invest in younger players, Yograj Singh issued a stern warning. According to him, the value of experience is irreplaceable, and building a team without seasoned leaders can backfire.

“If you form a team full of youngsters, it will always fall apart,” he said, voicing concerns over India’s current transition.

The exits of Kohli and Rohit, both key mentors and motivators in the squad, could deprive the team of crucial guidance in high-pressure moments — something that can’t be taught overnight.

On Motivation and Leadership: Rohit’s Case

Yograj Singh had a particularly strong opinion on Rohit Sharma’s retirement, suggesting that with the right kind of encouragement and daily discipline, he could have prolonged his career.

“I think Rohit Sharma needed just one person to motivate him daily, for example, to go for a run at 5 AM,” Yograj said, painting a picture of how minor changes in routine and mindset could have kept him going.

He even drew comparisons with Virender Sehwag, who he felt also retired too soon.

“Rohit Sharma and Virender Sehwag are two people who retired too early,” he stated.

“Greatest Players Should Play Till 50”

In a passionate conclusion, Yograj Singh made a bold and emotional remark that has since gone viral:

“The greatest players should play till 50 years of age… I am sad about their retirement as no one is left to motivate the youngsters now.”

While his statement may be exaggerated for emphasis, it underscores the sentiment shared by many fans: that Kohli and Rohit’s presence was more than just about runs — it was about inspiration, leadership, and legacy.

A Nation in Transition

As Indian cricket prepares for a crucial WTC cycle and tours of challenging conditions, the absence of Kohli and Rohit will be deeply felt — not just for their batting prowess, but for their commanding presence on and off the field.

While the next generation — including the likes of Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and others — gears up to step into the spotlight, Yograj Singh’s comments serve as a reminder of the void that legends leave behind. Whether their exits were timely or premature, only time will tell. But for now, Indian cricket fans are left to digest the reality that the Kohli-Rohit era in Tests has officially come to a close.