Former India star says narrative pushed Rohit, Kohli out of Tests; slams Gambhir after SA loss

Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara had dismissed the idea of a “transition phase” earlier this year, calling it an excuse for India’s batting collapse on the tricky Eden Gardens pitch that resulted in a 30-run defeat to South Africa. The debate resurfaced on Wednesday when former cricketer Manoj Tiwary made a sharp accusation, claiming that the same “transition” narrative forced senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to step away from Test cricket despite their desire to continue.

In a recent interaction, Tiwary argued that Indian cricket, with its strong domestic talent pool, does not need a transition phase. He said that repeated discussions around transition created an atmosphere that ultimately pushed Kohli and Rohit away from the longest format.

“I don’t believe in this entire ‘transition phase’ talk. India doesn’t need it—countries like New Zealand or Zimbabwe do. Our domestic circuit is full of quality players ready for opportunities. This unnecessary transition talk created pressure, and star players like Virat and Rohit—who wanted to continue playing Tests and uphold its value—were gradually pushed back,” Tiwary said.

Also Read: Virat Kohli has become calmer and wiser after marriage: Former India star

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their Test retirements in May, just five days apart, shocking the cricket fraternity. Their decisions came weeks before India’s crucial tour of England, where Shubman Gill was appointed the new captain.

Tiwary also criticised Gautam Gambhir, who had blamed India’s batters for the loss to South Africa. He said that as someone known for his skill against spin, Gambhir should have prepared the team better.

“You can’t point fingers at players’ technique after a defeat. Coaching is about teaching, not blaming. If the batters lacked solid defence, why wasn’t it addressed beforehand? Gambhir himself was a strong player of spin, so he should guide more. The results clearly aren’t going India’s way,” Tiwary added.