Vikram Rathour on Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement. (Credit: X)
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Former India batting coach Vikram Rathour had the privilege of working closely with former India captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin when he was part of India's coaching set-up headed by Rahul Dravid. While Rohit and Kohli retired within five days earlier last week, Ashwin called time on his international career after the third Test against Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane, last year. While acknowledging their greatness, Rathour reckoned that it will be a tough tour for India in the absence of these seniors.
"It's going to be a tough tour. It's not going to be an easy tour because the seniors have retired a lot. So, the young team is leaving. There could be a new captain. So, all these things will add a little bit of pressure," Rathour opined after Rajasthan Royals’ win over Chennai Super Kings.
"All three of them were phenomenal cricketers who retired. So, I would have loved for them to carry on. But it's, again, a very, very personal decision. I'm close to all three of them. So, you know, I would have, as I said, I would have loved to see them play more. But, again, it's a very, very personal decision, I think. And if they've taken this decision, we should respect that," he further added.
The Royals ended their IPL 2025 campaign with a win against the Super Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Rathour was roped in as the batting coach by RR ahead of the season. With four wins in 14 matches, the Royals ended their season placed ninth, just ahead of CSK with 8 points. With CSK yet to play their final game, RR stare at the possibility of ending the season right at the bottom.
Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Punjab Kings have already qualified for the playoffs this season, leaving Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals to fight it out for the fourth slot. The match between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals will go a long way in deciding which team is inching closer to cementing that spot. A loss for Delhi will pretty much knock them out of the playoff race.
