“Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara deserved better send-off”- Kris Srikkanth slams BCCI over ‘communication gap’

Kris Srikkanth said that Virat Kohli still had two years of test cricket left in him.

Former Indian cricketer Kris Srikkanth lashed out at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), saying that Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Cheteshwar Pujara deserved better send-offs after their test retirements. Srikkanth also believes that the governing body failed to establish proper communication with both the legends as they called timed on his career in the longest format of the game.

Rohit and Kohli shocked the Indian cricket fraternity after announcing their retirement from test cricket in May this year. Test specialist batter Pujara recently announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

Pujara and Kohli ended their careers as great of games as they both played more than 100 games for India. On the other hand, Rohit was the test skipper of India from 2022 to 2025, who led the team to the final of ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23.

There was a big communication gap when Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired: Kris Srikkanth

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth said that Rohit, Kohli, and Pujara deserved better send-offs from the BCCI.

“If you play 100 Tests for your country, you must be a terrific cricketer. So you should be given a good send-off. I am convinced there was a big communication gap when Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired. They should have spoken to them, but instead, this is not a good look for the game and Indian cricket,” he said.

The former India selector also feels that Kohli had two more years of test cricket left in him.

“Virat Kohli’s retirement happened just like that. Virat Kohli deserved a better send-off. He still had two years of Test cricket left in him. But because we drew in England, such talks about him got shut off. However, India will find it difficult to get a cricketer like Virat Kohli for some time,” he added.

Srikkanth said that BCCI should have communicated with Pujara over his retirement plans.

“Similarly with Pujara, though it’s been a while since he played for India, they should have spoken to him also about his retirement plans. Of course, the player also has to cooperate and realise when their time is up. Had that happened, Pujara would have got a better send-off. But it’s a matter of cooperation between the player, selectors and the BCCI,” he said.

Meanwhile, Rohit played 67 tests for India, scoring 4301 runs in 116 innings at an average of 40.58. Kohli amassed 9230 runs in 123 tests at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries including seven double tons. Pujara piled up 7195 runs in 103 games with 19 tons.

Rohit and Kohli are still active in ODI cricket and are expected to play in the series against Australia in October.

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