Delhi: After winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have made it clear that they are not in the mood to retire from cricket. While Rohit wants to focus on the current game, Virat’s goal is to play in ODI World Cup 2027. But, the next big challenge before these two veterans is the five -Test series against England, which will be played after IPL 2025.
Talking about this, Punjab Kings coach and former Australian captain Ricky Ponting said that Test cricket has become a bit difficult for these senior players, but they still do not consider them out.
Ponting told the Indian Express, “I have said before, ‘You can never consider the quality player as finished.’ These players are the champion, and always find this way, when he was out of the form, the same thing is becoming difficult for them, but Rohit has clearly said that he is not going anywhere.
Special conversation with Rahul Dravid
Ponting also recalled the time when Rahul Dravid was struggling with his form on Australia tour. Ponting reported that he then motivated Dravid, and later when Ponting himself was in the last phase of career, Dravid returned the same advice to him.
He said, “We were all watching that they are struggling. The pressure of the media and he was all bothering them. Rahul and I have been good friends, both of us used to bat at number 3 for a long time for our respective country. The class and quality of such players do not go anywhere. I said to them-‘Do not pay attention to the things outside, do not pay attention to the things that make you good players.’ And he did the same. Later, when I was on the last stage of his career, Rahul sent me the same message. “
Will Rohit and Kohli be given the same advice?
When Ponting was asked if he would give the same advice to Rohit and Virat during the IPL 2025, which they gave to Dravid, he said in a funny manner, “Will I send them the same message when IPL starts, it’s a different thing (smiling). But I feel good to see them and hope that they play in many more years and international cricket.”
Related news
(Tagstotranslate) Eng vs Ind (T) Indian National Cricket Team (T) Rohit Sharma (T) Virat Kohli