After Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have become household names for Indians. The elite duo has been the backbone of the Indian cricket team for over a decade, helping the country win numerous matches and tournaments.
Both retired from the shorter format of the game after India's victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup earlier in June. Rohit is currently 37 and Kohli is just two years younger than the Indian captain. This is more than a sign that they only have a few years left in international cricket.
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It will be difficult to find a replacement for them, but the show must go on. Even if the management fails to find a perfect replacement, they are looking for someone who can carry forward the legacy set by these modern-day greats. Meanwhile, veteran India spinner Piyush Chawla has come forward with a name he believes can take the game forward after the retirement of 'Ro-Co’.
During an interview with Shubhankar Mishra, Chawla, who has played alongside Kohli and Rohit, said that Shubman Gill has the technique to succeed the Indian batting stalwarts.
“Shubman Gill. Because of the technique he possesses. You see, if a batter goes through a rough patch of form, it is usually his technique that comes into play and helps them get out of the rut. If you notice, any batter who has great technique will never undergo a bad run of form for too long.” Chawla explains why he thinks Shubman is the perfect replacement.
Check out the video below:
Piyush chawla predicts Shubman Gill as the next big thing in cricket.
— Rambabu Gurjar (@adventure77g) September 13, 2024
Bad news for Amit Mishra 😄pic.twitter.com/v1BkoahPgO
Along with Gill, Chawla also sees potential in Ruturaj Gaikwad
Piyush Chawla also picked Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad to lead the Indian batting for the years to come. “For me, Shubman Gill is up there along with Ruturaj Gaikwad,” the leg-spinner said.
Despite his consistent performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Gaikwad is not getting enough opportunities in the national team. The 27-year-old has played just 29 matches so far and has scored over 700 runs.
“That’s part of the game (on Gaikwad not getting a consistent run with Team India). It just comes with the package. And sometimes, it is unfortunate that when opportunities do arise, luck just does not follow the same. But regardless, for me, these two players shall take over the mantle after Virat Kohli,” Chawla added.