Yograj Singh, a former India cricketer and coach, has spoken out in response to criticism of star players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, claiming that if allowed to manage Team India, he could bring out the best in both.
Yograj emphasized that it is the coach's responsibility to push players to their maximum and deliver results while also discussing the team's troubles in Test cricket.
Despite India winning the Champions Trophy with both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepping up, questions about their Test futures remain. India had one of their worst Test seasons recently, losing 0-3 at home to New Zealand. Then they lost the BGT 2024-25 Test series in Australia, 1-3.
Rohit endured a torrid season, managing just 164 runs in eight Tests at an average of 10.93. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli fared slightly better but still struggled, scoring 382 runs in 10 Tests at an average of 22.
"If you make me the coach of the Indian team, I will transform this side into an unbeatable force with the same players. Who will unlock their full potential? People are always quick to call for their exclusion-drop Rohit Sharma, drop Kohli- but why?" Yograj Singh said on Taruwar Kohli’s "Find a Way" podcast.
"They are going through a rough patch, and I want to tell my boys that I stand with them. I would tell them: let's play Ranji Trophy, or I'll make Rohit run 20 km. Nobody does that. These players are diamonds- you don't just discard them. I would be like a father to them. I have never differentiated between Yuvraj and the others, not even Dhoni. But what is wrong is wrong," he added.
It remains to be seen whether Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be selected for the trip to England, which begins on June 20.
According to sources, Rohit Sharma is set to withdraw from the England tour, whilst Kohli is anticipated to play the five-Test series, with selectors keenly monitoring his performance.
India's 'A' team will play three four-day matches in England before the senior team's five-match Test series, which is expected to include some Test specialists.
