Gautam Gambhir discusses the difficulties facing India after the retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Gautam Gambhir, the current head coach and former India opener, discussed the difficulties the squad will face after veteran players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired from Test cricket. Gambhir considered the players’ decision to retire a personal one and believed that only the players themselves had the authority to challenge their choice.

He concurred that losing seasoned players leaves a gap that may be challenging to fill. Nonetheless, the Indian head coach thought the new players would have a fantastic chance to rise up and claim a berth in the game’s longest format.

“I believe that starting the game and deciding when to stop is a very personal choice. Nobody is entitled. Nobody in this nation, not even the coach or the selector, has the authority to dictate when someone should or shouldn’t retire. Thus, it originates internally,” Gautam Gambhir stated during the CNN News 24 interview.

“To truly experience players, we must be without two senior players. And occasionally, I think it’s a chance for other people to raise their hands and declare, “Okay, I’m ready for it.” Yes, it will be difficult, but since I have already been asked this question, some individuals will raise their hands without a doubt. “As well as the Champions Trophy,” the Indian coach said.

Gautam Gambhir anticipates that other players will fill in for Bumrah.

The team also viewed Jasprit Bumrah’s absence from the Champions Trophy 2025 as a chance for others to stand up, Gautam Gambhir added. In addition, the Indian head coach hoped that the team’s batters would step up to the plate.

“When Jasprit Bumrah wasn’t there and I said exactly the same thing, someone missing out might give another person an opportunity to do something special for the country, hopefully, there’ll be other guys waiting for that opportunity,” said Gambhir.