The Indian cricket world was shaken when former batter Manoj Tiwary made a bold claim about two of India’s biggest stars- Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Ahead of the much-awaited Australia tour, Tiwary suggested that both legends could walk away from international cricket soon.
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His comments come at a time when both players are nearing the end of their careers and facing changes in their roles with Team India.
Why does Manoj Tiwary think Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli could retire soon?
Speaking in a recent interview, Tiwary said Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket wasn’t sudden, it was driven by how he felt within the team setup.
According to him, Kohli didn’t feel respected or valued in the current environment, which led him to quietly step away.
Tiwary explained that when a senior player starts feeling unwanted, it becomes emotionally difficult to continue, no matter their stature.
"It already has. Otherwise, why would Virat have left Test cricket? He had already started preparing mentally for the upcoming England series. But the environment, the situation around him in Indian cricket, made him feel unwanted," said Tiwary.
Tiwary emphasized that Kohli’s decision wasn’t sudden but rather a reflection of how the environment around him had changed over time.
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"When a player, no matter how big he is, starts feeling that he’s not needed or respected, a player with self-respect and dignity will never continue. That’s exactly why Virat quietly stepped away from Test cricket, not out of frustration, but out of self-respect," he added.
He believes Rohit’s removal as ODI captain, despite his success as a leader, could push him to make a big call after the upcoming Australia series.
"And if things continue the same way, I honestly think there’s a possibility that Rohit might also take that step in the future, not because he wants to, but because no great player should be made to stay where he feels disrespected," Tiwary concluded.
Under Rohit’s captaincy, India lifted the T20 World Cup in 2024 and the Champions Trophy earlier this year, two massive achievements in a short span.
With the Australia tour around the corner, fans are now left wondering if it might indeed be the final international appearance for India’s two modern-day greats.
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