Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar spoke on the future of batting legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli going forward. Rohit Sharma, 37, and Virat Kohli, 35, recently retired from T20I cricket after India’s T20 World Cup 2024 win.
Virat Kohli has been taking breaks here and there due to family responsibilities and he has also been managed well by the team management. Rohit Sharma, on the other hand, has had some fitness issues in the recent past but has been leading from the front across formats in the last year and a half.
Sanjay Bangar, who has worked closely with both Kohli and Rohit, talked about his belief in the likes of Rohit and Kohli to continue playing for a good while longer in this modern age, stating the examples of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid who also played till their 40s.
“I think Rohit will continue to play as long as his body and fitness allow him to. Sachin played till 40, and even Rahul played till 40. With better fitness standards and more professionals looking after players, including nutritionists, careers are going to get longer,” Bangar said on Rao Podcast.
Bangar though remains of the belief that Kohli will still be looking to provide all he can for the national side in the longer formats, especially Test cricket.
“Even with Virat, it depends on his body. The last format that he would give away will be Test cricket. So, I am sure that you will see Virat playing Test cricket for another five years,” Bangar said.
Bangar explained how the regularity of ICC tournaments in today's world continuously offers players targets to strive for and work toward. Even if it weren't for that, the two still have one more ambition to attain with India: winning the World Test Championship.
“In today’s time and age, the World Cup is happening every second year or every year you have an ICC tournament. I don’t think that would have been a factor. India winning the World Cup doesn’t mean that Rohit is going to walk away.
Rohit has tasted success now, and India still wants to win the World Test Championship — there is something to look forward to,” Bangar stated.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are likely to feature for India in the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh in September.
