A real setback

It is really shocking that after the Hitman Rohit Sharma, King Kohli too has decided to retire from Test cricket. No doubt, this is a real setback, especially on the eve of our WTC Test series against England.

Though the BCCI officials and the selectors tried their best to impress Kohli to tour England and guide the youngsters, something else was weighing on Kohli to take such a decision. To be frank, Kohli's journey in cricket has always been one of passion, grit and an uncompromising drive to be the best.

If I am not mistaken, more than the Indian team, it is a loss for Kohli, as the absence of Jimmy Anderson and Chris Broad in the England team could have enabled him to surpass 10,000 runs in Test cricket and also add to his number of centuries. At the same time, who knows, his retirement could prove to be a blessing in disguise for some youngsters to play for the nation and shine. Nobody is indispensable in the world. By chance, if the selectors select the promising opener Sai Sudarshan, I have a feeling that he could be our next Gundappa Viswanath, a matchwinner.

Vinay Mahadevan,

Al Nahada, Dubai