"What happened when they were there?" - Sunil Gavaskar's stunning claim on Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli after India's whitewash in IND vs SA 2025 Tests

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has shut down the notion that the presence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma could have prevented the recent home Test series loss to South Africa. Gavaskar questioned that India shouldn't have lost the home series to New Zealand and the away leg to Australia either, given both star cricketers were part of it.

Having suffered two series sweeps at home to New Zealand and South Africa, the Indian team faces massive pressure to turn things around. The Proteas outplayed the hosts across facets as they resgistered their first series victory on Indian soil in 25 years.

Speaking to Aaj Tak, Gavaskar strongly disagreed that Kohli and Rohit were forced to retire, claiming that it was solely their decision to call it a day. The 76-year-old elaborated:

"No, the call to take retirements must have been their call. Probably they might have been asked to consider their future. But we can't say that had they been here, we would have won. They were there when we lost to New Zealand. What happened when they were there? We lost 0-3, no? Then what happened in Australia? We should not be thinking on these lines. No, we can't be thinking whether we pushed them to retirement. That is the wrong way to approach this."

The spotlight has firmly fallen on head coach Gautam Gambhir due to the twin series defeats as India hadn't lost at home for 12 years until the series against New Zealand. Nevertheless, sources have claimed that the BCCI is unlikely to take any immediate action to remove him from the role yet.

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Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli look to make statement as ODI series against South Africa looms large

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. (Image Credits: Getty)

Meanwhile, Rohit and Kohli have been training tirelessly in Ranchi ahead of the first of the three ODIs against South Africa in Ranchi on November 30. The presence of the two veterans will bolster the team morale as they seek redemption from the humbling Test series defeat to the Proteas.

Both Rohit and Kohli were outstanding the last time they played an ODI, sharing an unbroken 168-run stand against Australia in Sydney. The latter smashed an unbeaten 121, while Kohli also found form after consecutive ducks, scoring 74*.

Ranchi is likely to see a full house on Sunday with the return of the two veterans. In Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer's absence, KL Rahul will lead India in the three ODIs.