‘Senior Cricketers Should Retire Gracefully, Not Drag Their Feet’

Saurabh Tyagi, a marketing professional and a cricket buff, wonders if the old order in Indian Test cricket ever make timely way for the new blood. His views:

India’s cricketing landscape is undergoing a transformation. The reluctance of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to bow out echoes the hesitation of previous legends, but this hesitation is all about a deeper issue that lies within the Indian cricket administration. Much of India’s current transition struggle in red-ball cricket can be traced to the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) reluctance to make timely changes, allowing veterans to linger on despite diminishing returns.

While the BCCI has shown commitment towards integrating younger players in white-ball formats, particularly T20, the Test side has largely remained stagnant. Since 2020, Rohit and Kohli’s declining averages—Rohit at 34 at home, Kohli at 28 at home and 33 away—paint a stark picture.

Both players have been titans of Indian cricket, carrying the mantle through a golden era. Yet, the current numbers tell a clear story: their consistency has waned, and to expect them to return to their peak form is unrealistic. The reluctance to transition younger players into Test roles has stunted the development of a fresh, competitive core and fostered a sense of complacency. While it’s natural to revere legends, ignoring the hard facts only delays the necessary decisions that would allow India to move forward.

However, the responsibility doesn’t rest solely with the players or the coaches; it lies at the very top with the BCCI. Caught in a cycle of PR-driven decision-making, the BCCI has prioritized the immediate revenue of the IPL over the long-term health of India’s Test setup. The IPL has undoubtedly been transformative, creating fame, wealth, and vast opportunities for young players.

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This IPL-centric approach has also distracted them from the developmental work required to build a resilient Test team. Test cricket demands resilience, skill, and continuity—elements that can only be cultivated with a focused commitment to training, preparation, and the domestic game. By failing to maintain this focus, the BCCI has, in many ways, eroded the foundation of India’s red-ball game, resulting in embarrassing setbacks like the recent home series loss to New Zealand.

India has successfully managed transitions before, most notably in 2013, when a new generation—led by Kohli, Pujara, and Rahane—stepped into roles once occupied by legends like Dravid, Laxman, and Tendulkar. This transition was executed with patience, foresight, and an unwavering belief in nurturing young talent for the rigors of Test cricket. Yet now, with players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubham Gill, and Rishabh Pant waiting in the wings, the BCCI’s reluctance to make a decisive call stifles this potential.

Transitioning Test teams requires a blend of youth and experience, a task now placed squarely on the selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, and Head Coach Gautam Gambhir. With red-ball cricket demanding grit, technique, and the stamina honed in the Ranji Trophy, the selectors must prioritize performance in these domestic circuits over the lure of white-ball fame. IPL stardom and Test resilience are fundamentally different, and to sustain India’s dominance in Tests, the BCCI must ensure that potential red-ball specialists are given a chance to grow.

This moment is pivotal not only for India’s Test prospects but for the global perception of Test cricket itself. The world’s purists view Test cricket as the soul of the sport, and if India falters, the format’s appeal could be jeopardized worldwide. This transition, if handled poorly, risks squandering a legacy. But if managed well, India could usher in a new golden generation capable of honouring the greatness of those before them. The question remains: Will the BCCI take the hard decisions required to secure the future of Indian Test cricket, or will it continue to let nostalgia and revenue clouds overshadow the path forward?

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As told to Deepa Gupta