The Test retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have sent ripples through the Indian cricket landscape, marking the end of an era that saw both stalwarts dominate with the bat and lead the side with authority. While tributes have poured in from fans and former players celebrating their remarkable contributions, former cricketer Yograj Singh has voiced a contrasting opinion—he believes both stars have hung up their whites far too early.

Together, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma featured in 190 Test matches, forming the spine of India’s batting order for more than a decade.

Their retirement not only leaves two massive gaps in the batting line-up but also ends their leadership chapters in the red-ball game at a time when India is about to embark on a transition phase, starting with a challenging five-Test series in England and a fresh World Test Championship cycle. Speaking to NDTV, Yograj expressed disappointment over the timing of their exits.

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“Virat is a massive player—it’s a big loss. Maybe he feels there’s nothing left to achieve. As for Rohit, he just needed someone to push him daily, maybe to run at 5 AM. Like Sehwag, he’s walked away too soon. Great players should go on till 50. I’m saddened because now there’s no one left to guide the young players,” he remarked.

Yograj Singh didn’t shy away from taking a dig at the current approach to squad building, which leans heavily on youth.

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Recalling his advice to son Yuvraj Singh, he added, “I told Yuvi it wasn’t the right time to retire. You should only quit when your body gives up. A team built only with youngsters won’t last—it needs seasoned leaders too.”

India now stares at a leadership vacuum, with no clear successor yet in sight.