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Kirmani: Young Cricketers Must Aim Higher Than Kohli & Rohit

Former India wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani has advised aspiring cricketers to set their sights on surpassing modern greats Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, not just emulating them. He strongly defended the duo's right to decide their own retirement timelines, dismissing external criticism calling for their exit. Kirmani emphasized that their vast experience remains a crucial asset for the Indian team as long as they wish to contribute. He also highlighted the role of seasoned domestic players in mentoring the next generation of national team hopefuls.

Key Points: Kirmani's Advice: Be Better Than Kohli, Rohit

  • Aim higher than idols
  • Retirement is players' choice
  • Experience invaluable to team
  • Domestic cricket guides youth
  • 2027 WC could be swansong
2 min read

Youngsters should aim to be better than Rohit & Kohli instead of aspiring to be like them: Kirmani

Ex-keeper Syed Kirmani urges young players to surpass legends Kohli & Rohit, defends veterans' right to choose retirement timing.

"Instead of merely wishing to be like players A, B, C, or D, they should aim to be better than them. - Syed Kirmani"

New Delhi, Jan 5

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Syed Kirmani believes that young up-and-coming cricketers should aim to be better than the batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, rather than aspiring to be like them.

Ahead of last year's England tour, both Kohli and Rohit retired from Test cricket. They had already stopped playing T20Is following their 2024 World Cup victory. This left them with ODIs, a format in which they have excelled over the years.

"They have set a great example for young players to follow. With impressive records behind them, they serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for aspiring cricketers while they are active. Young players should study how capable they are and the records they have set. Instead of merely wishing to be like players A, B, C, or D, they should aim to be better than them. That should be their primary focus and guiding principle," Kirmani told IANS.

He believed that people criticise because they desire 'new blood' and 'fresh players' in the system, but emphasised that the decision for stalwarts to retire should be entirely up to them, rather than imposed, and stressed their experience and legacy.

He said that the duo should keep playing cricket for as long as they wish and encouraged everyone to respect their choices.

"They should keep playing if they're enjoying cricket. Critics will always criticise, and they want new blood in the game. Everyone desires fresh players, so there's no reason for concern. Let them decide for themselves. Their experience is a valuable support to the team, and seasoned players are always needed. We should not discourage them.

"Leave the decision on when to retire to them. Domestic cricket also helps young players aiming for the national team. Experienced domestic players, whether in Vijay Hazare or other tournaments, can guide these aspiring cricketers. As long as they are contributing, let them be. But they should be allowed to play as much as they can. They are iconic players with impressive records. You can't just overlook them. As I said, leave the decision to them, let them decide when to retire," he added.

While they haven't explicitly announced their retirement plans, it's widely believed that the 2027 Cricket World Cup could be their final appearance for India.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a cricket fan from abroad, I find this mindset fascinating. In many sports, we talk about "being the next Michael Jordan." Kirmani is saying "don't be the next Kohli, be the first you, but better." It's a powerful shift in thinking for young athletes.
R
Rohit P
Easier said than done! Kohli and Rohit are once-in-a-generation players. Asking youngsters to be better is putting immense pressure. First, let them reach that level, then we can talk about surpassing it. The transition needs to be managed carefully.
P
Priya S
I fully agree with the part about letting them retire on their own terms. The media and so-called experts have been pushing for their retirement for years. They have earned the right to leave the game when they feel it's time. Respect for legends! 🇮🇳
K
Karthik V
This is the right attitude. We have talented players like Gill, Jaiswal, Pant. They shouldn't live in the shadow of Virat and Rohit. They should create their own legacy. The future looks bright if they aim high!
M
Michael C
While the sentiment is positive, I respectfully disagree with Kirmani on one point. For a young player, aspiring to *be like* Kohli is a perfectly fine starting goal. It gives them a tangible standard of fitness, dedication, and skill to work towards. "Be better" comes later.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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