New Delhi, May 15 – Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes there is no reason for concern following the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket, noting that Indian cricket had previously recovered strongly after the retirement of the celebrated 'Fab Four'.
In the span of just one week, Indian cricket bid farewell to two modern-day greats, Rohit and Kohli, as they stepped away from the longest format of the game. Their departure has stirred anxiety among fans, but Manjrekar compared the current scenario to the retirement of the iconic quartet of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, and Sourav Ganguly.
As per agency report, Manjrekar shared his views through a video message on Instagram, recalling that similar concerns had emerged when the Fab Four exited international cricket. However, he pointed out that within a few years of their departure, India rose to become the number one Test team in the world.
He emphasized that as long as cricket remains popular in India, there will always be a steady influx of young, eager, and highly talented players vying for a spot in the national team. He added that the journey to the top is far from easy, ensuring that only truly exceptional individuals make it to the Indian squad.
Manjrekar acknowledged that the transition will take time, but insisted there is no need to panic. He highlighted how India’s bowling attack improved after the previous generation retired, expressing confidence that a similar evolution could unfold again, with new stars and bowlers emerging to take the team forward.
Reflecting on the current team, he noted that even when Kohli and Rohit were part of the lineup, India faced defeats—such as the 3-0 loss to New Zealand at home and a disappointing series in Australia. According to him, the new Indian team now has nothing to lose and should be given full support as it embarks on a fresh chapter.
Manjrekar concluded by extending his best wishes to the upcoming Indian Test team, underlining that India will continue to be among the top cricketing nations despite this transitional phase.
