'Rohit Sharma can retire but Virat Kohli should play till 50' – Taliban leader Anas Haqqani on Indian cricket legends

Divy Dubey

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'Rohit Sharma can retire but Virat Kohli should play till 50' – Taliban leader Anas Haqqani on Indian cricket legends image

The retirement decisions of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have sparked strong reactions across the cricketing world.

After years of dominance across formats, both players stepped away from T20 internationals following India's World Cup win in 2024 and later announced their exits from Test cricket earlier this year.

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While Rohit has now limited himself to ODIs, Kohli too brought an end to his red-ball career - leaving Indian fans in a reflective mood as the country is in its next phase of cricketing leadership.

Taliban leader makes retirement claim on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

Speaking on journalist Shubhankar Mishra's podcast, Taliban leader Anas Haqqani weighed in on the contrasting retirements of India's biggest cricketing icons. He said Rohit Sharma's decision was understandable but felt Virat Kohli should have extended his career much longer.

"Rohit Sharma's retirement was fine. Virat Kohli's retirement, I can't say. There are very little people in sports who get to have a say on when they retire without anyone's influence. So my opinion is that he should continue playing till 50 years of age and to be fit. So yeah, he retired too early," Haqqani said.

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Both players bid farewell to T20 internationals after India's dramatic seven-run win against South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Barbados. Kohli scored a match-winning 76.

The RCB and Indian cricket revealed during the presentation that it would be his last T20 game for India. Moments later, Rohit too announced his exit from the format as he celebrated the long-awaited trophy.

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Earlier this year, Rohit ended his Test career after a difficult run of form, averaging just 10.93 across his last 15 innings. Days later, Virat Kohli also announced his retirement from the format - closing the chapter on a journey that brought him 9,230 runs in 123 Tests, placing him fourth on India's all-time list.

With both Kohli and Rohit now restricted to ODIs, Indian fans will next see them in action against Australia following the Asia Cup campaign in the UAE.

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Divy Dubey

Divy Dubey is a content producer for The Sporting News' India edition. He has a passion for cricket and is an avid fan of football. His work spans culture, media, and digital trends. With a background in research and a curiosity-driven approach, he enjoys crafting thoughtful, engaging stories that invite readers to see everyday topics in a new light.