Yograj Singh Advocates for Rohit and Virat to Continue for 3-4 More Years in Team India Ahead of CT 2025

Chandigarh, Jan 13 (NationPress) With the squad announcement for the Champions Trophy 2025 on the horizon, former Indian cricketer Yograj Singh has expressed his support for captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to participate in next month’s eight-team tournament, despite their lackluster performance in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.

In the five-match Test series, Kohli accumulated only 190 runs and was dismissed eight times while attempting to play deliveries outside the off-stump. On the other hand, Rohit, who missed the Perth Test due to the birth of his second child, managed a mere 31 runs across three matches before deciding to skip the fifth Test in Sydney.

The veteran players faced significant criticism from fans and former players for their underwhelming performance, with social media users speculating about their potential retirement from red-ball cricket.

However, seasoned pacer Yograj holds a different view and advocates for the duo to continue for an additional 3-4 years to mentor the younger players. "I have been saying that Rohit should not be removed from captaincy and Virat should not be dropped. We require these two legends to guide the youngsters. The team needs these two players for another 3-4 years along with (Jasprit) Bumrah. We must establish a strong bench strength," Singh stated to IANS on Monday.

"You should never dismantle the team. It started in 2011 when the team was broken as power was concentrated in one individual. This led to losses in World Cups, multiple series, and even three to four consecutive Test series defeats. We need to keep all players united because winning or losing is part of the game. In Australia, India secured back-to-back Test series victories, a feat that I don't believe anyone has achieved except the West Indies. I feel that my advice has been acknowledged by the BCCI," he added.

The 66-year-old Yograj expressed delight over Punjab batter Abhishek Sharma's selection for the upcoming five-match T20I series against England later this month, asserting that Shubman Gill should have also been included in the squad.

"It was gratifying to see Abhishek back; he is a significant player, and I see a resemblance to Yuvraj Singh in his batting style. The more he plays, the more he shines. I believe Shubman Gill should have been picked as well," he commented.

Singh commended the BCCI for building careers for young cricketers through the IPL and now extending similar opportunities to women cricketers in the country.

"Since the inception of the IPL, cricket in India has seen substantial growth. Many players have had opportunities and have built careers, benefiting financially as well. The IPL has played a crucial role in India, and I congratulate the BCCI for it. It has become a vital tournament as the board invests significantly in players.

"Women's cricket is also receiving considerable funding. I take pride in the BCCI for initiating a pension scheme for retired and veteran cricketers. The IPL is a blessing for cricketers in this country," he remarked.

Singh expressed satisfaction that women cricketers are receiving the same platform and exposure as their male counterparts in India.