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New Delhi: Retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin within a short period of time have hit India hard and triggered a period of transition in Tests, observed former New Zealand pacer Tim Southee.
India suffered their first home Test series defeat to South Africa in 25 years, which was their second defeat at their backyard in the last 12 months, apart from going down in Australia and avoiding a defeat in England.
Players and team management headed by coach Gautam Gambhir has faced sharp criticism related to strategy, combinations and execution of plans.
But Southee believes India have enough quality players at their disposal to tide over the rough phase.
“India have lost a lot of experience, they're probably in a bit of a rebuilding phase from where they were 12 months ago when we went there, they still had a lot of experience in the side that we played,” Southee said, as quoted by PTI.
“But you take out Rohit, Ashwin, Kohli, there's a lot of experience, a lot of knowledge in those guys, so I think for them it's about the other guys growing as players… it's probably just a bit of a transition period from where they were and the experience they had to where they are now.”
He feels Test cricket is still the pinnacle despite the proliferation of T20 leagues.
“When I grew up, playing Test cricket was something I aspired to be… I'd like to think for a lot of kids that Test cricket is something they want to aspire to play.
“There is so much white ball cricket... but I love Test cricket… I would like to think there are a lot of kids growing up still wanting to play red ball cricket as well," he added.
The former New Zealand skipper has now turned to coaching and is the bowling coach of three-time Indian Premier League champions Kolkata Knight Riders, having played for them from 2021 to 2023.
“Yeah, very excited... I love my time at Kolkata as a player and I am looking forward to going back there in a coaching role,” he said.
Kohli and Rohit might have retired from Tests and T20Is but remain a force in ODIs, as proven in India’s recent tour of Australia and the ongoing series against South Africa.
Rohit scored a century in Australia and fifty in the first match in Ranchi, while Kohli has slammed back to back hundreds against South Africa, to extend his overall tally to record 53 tons.
“Kohli is arguably the best ever one-day batsman and if he's still performing then why not. Rohit (too) had scored 100 some days ago in Australia, so they're still performing. So, as long as they're still performing and still contributing to the side then I believe age is only a number," he added.
As the former skippers would be around 39 during the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, speculations over their future refuse to die.
“I guess that's their decision, if they feel like they can still do everything that's required to play at the highest level then why not,” Southee said.
“Like I said you've got Virat Kohli who's arguably the best ever one-day batsman that's played the game and if he's available for the one-day World Cup then I imagine they'll want him to play.”
