Rohit Sharma walks off the grounds after his dismissal and teammate Virat Kohli walks in to bat
Credit: PTI Photo
There is an uncanny resemblance between two major transitions in Indian Test cricket, separated by more than a decade. Back in 2011-12, after a dismal tour of Australia, Indian cricket bid farewell to two of its most elegant and dependable batters – Rahul Dravid and V V S Laxman. Both legends stepped away from the longest format within months of each other, leaving a gaping hole in the Indian batting lineup. Now, history seems to be repeating itself. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two stalwarts of modern Indian cricket, have stepped down from Test duties following another underwhelming Australian tour – disappointing on both personal and team levels. The departure of Kohli and Rohit marks the end of an era, just as Dravid’s and Laxman’s retirement did. The impact is more than just statistical; it signifies a cultural and leadership shift. Kohli, who admirably carried the burden of the No. 4 position after Sachin Tendulkar, leaves behind a legacy defined by passion and fierce competitiveness while Rohit, though never quite as dominant in Tests as he has been in white-ball formats, grew into a dependable opener and a tactically astute captain during the latter part of his red-ball career.
While replacing giants is never easy, Indian cricket has found a way to adapt and thrive. Questions like Who after Gavaskar?, Who after Tendulkar?, and Who after Dravid? have emerged time and again – and Indian cricket has always responded with promising successors. Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara may not have been carbon copies of their perceived predecessors – Tendulkar and Dravid – but they upheld the team’s batting legacy with distinction. Today, the scenario is similar. For the roles vacated by Rohit and Kohli, there are already potential successors waiting in the wings. The immensely talented Sai Sudharsan, the tried and tested duo of Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan, and a seemingly back-in-the-reckoning pair of Shreyas Iyer and Karun Nair are all pushing for a spot. These batters, at different stages in their careers, now face the daunting yet exciting task of stepping into the shoes of two greats.
As the dust settles on these high-profile departures, you can rest assured that the game will move on and everything will seem normal again. Today, India’s cricketing landscape is larger than ever and the talent pool keeps expanding. India, therefore, need not worry about the question that predictably pops up after every big retirement: Who after...?