Yuvraj Singh supports Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma against Gautam Gambhir criticism.
The former India all-rounder has openly defended the two senior players, saying that legends like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli deserve respect and not unnecessary criticism. His comments come at a time when Indian cricket is preparing for a transition, with the possibility of younger players replacing seniors in the coming years.
Yuvraj Singh’s strong words of support
Yuvraj Singh made it clear that he does not believe in criticizing legends like Rohit and Kohli. He said both players have achieved so much for India and are still valuable in the team. According to Yuvraj, when a player is going through a bad patch, criticism comes easily, but true support is shown by standing with them during tough times.
“I’m not in a position to make changes for Virat or Rohit. They have played far more cricket than me. I can only share my opinion. When a player is not performing, it is easy to criticize, but supporting them is the real challenge. The media’s job is to criticize, but my job is to support them. They are like my brothers, my family,” Yuvraj said. Yuvraj Singh supports Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
Retirement speculations for Rohit and Kohli
There are strong reports that both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli may retire from international cricket after the ODI series against Australia in late 2025. If that happens, they will no longer be part of India’s 2027 ODI World Cup plans. Yuvraj Singh supports Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
Both players have already retired from T20Is and Tests, leaving ODIs as their only active format. Playing in just one format at this stage of their careers is tough, and maintaining top form will be a challenge.
India last played an ODI during their Champions Trophy triumph earlier in 2025. Since then, the team has not featured in the 50-over format due to the cancellation of the Bangladesh series. Now, the big return will be the Australia ODIs in October-November.
Yuvraj Singh on what changes Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli need.: 🗣️-
“I’m not in a position to make any changes to Virat or Rohit. They’ve played far more cricket than me. I can only share my opinion. When a player isn’t performing, it’s very easy to criticize, but supporting… pic.twitter.com/6IIwO4ddWp
— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) August 18, 2025
Champions Trophy 2025 – The last big show for the legends
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma last represented India during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Rohit Sharma was brilliant in the final against New Zealand, scoring 76 off 83 balls and winning the Player of the Match award. Virat Kohli too had a strong campaign, finishing as the fifth-highest run-scorer with 218 runs at an average of 55.
Their form in that tournament showed that they still have what it takes to perform at the highest level. However, retirement from Tests and T20Is indicates that the end of their international careers is not far away.
India’s upcoming ODI challenge against Australia
India will begin their much-awaited ODI series against Australia on October 19, 2025. The matches will be played in Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney. This will be India’s first ODI series in months and also a key step in preparing for the 2027 ODI World Cup in Africa. Yuvraj Singh supports Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
Apart from Australia, India has a packed schedule in ODIs. They will play against South Africa, New Zealand, and Afghanistan at home later in the year. The domestic Vijay Hazare Trophy will also run in parallel, giving younger players a chance to prove themselves.
BCCI’s new domestic cricket rule
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently introduced a rule that makes it mandatory for centrally contracted players to take part in domestic cricket. This came after India’s 1-3 Test series defeat to Australia in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Yuvraj Singh supports Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
As a result, even senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were seen playing in the Ranji Trophy, something that had become rare in recent years. This move by BCCI is aimed at keeping senior players in touch with the domestic circuit and setting an example for youngsters. Yuvraj Singh supports Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
Gautam Gambhir’s role in the debate
Reports suggest that Gautam Gambhir, who has been vocal about the need for transition, believes India should focus on backing younger talent for the future. He is said to have played a role in pushing for a new direction in team planning. Yuvraj Singh supports Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
However, Yuvraj Singh clearly disagrees with this line of thought. By openly backing Rohit and Kohli, Yuvraj has indirectly gone against Gambhir’s views, making the debate even more interesting.
Yuvraj Singh’s emotional connection with Rohit and Kohli
Yuvraj Singh and Virat Kohli shared the dressing room during India’s 2011 World Cup triumph, while Rohit Sharma was also part of Yuvraj’s later international years. Yuvraj often speaks highly of both players and sees them as close brothers. Yuvraj Singh supports Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
By defending them publicly, Yuvraj has shown that his loyalty lies with his teammates. His statement will surely be welcomed by fans who still want to see Kohli and Rohit in action.
What lies ahead for Indian cricket?
The big question now is whether Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will retire after the Australia ODIs. If they do, it will mark the end of an iconic era in Indian cricket. The duo has given countless memories, from Kohli’s chases to Rohit’s double hundreds, and their absence will be strongly felt.
At the same time, India will need to carefully manage the transition. Younger players like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad are waiting to take over, but they will need time and guidance to reach the heights of their seniors. Yuvraj Singh supports Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
For now, fans will look forward to October 2025, when Rohit and Kohli return in blue once again. Whether it is their farewell series or just another chapter in their careers remains to be seen.
