The legendary Kapil Dev hailed Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli calling them irreplaceable in Indian cricket like legends Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni.

No one can take their place: Kapil Dev compares Rohit, Kohli to ‘irreplaceable’ Dhoni and Sachin

New Delhi: The legendary Kapil Dev heaped praise on both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stating that the duo is ‘irreplaceable’ in the Indian team. Rohit and Kohli retired from T20Is after helping India clinch glory in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024. India defeated South Africa by 7 wickets in a thrilling final to lift the elusive trophy.

Kohli played a match-winning knock of 76 runs against South Africa in the final and announced that he would be hanging up his boots from T20Is during the post-match presentation. The star batter was awarded the Player of the Match award in his final appearance for India in a T20I. Rohit followed suit as a he announced his retirement a few hours later.

Speaking about the duo, Kapil said no one can take their place in the Indian team and that they are irreplaceable like the legendary Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni. Kohli and Rohit will continue to play ODIs and Test cricket for India and are likely to be seen in action together in the Champions Trophy 2025 next year.

“No one can take Virat and Rohit’s place in the Indian team in any format. They have been a huge servant of Indian cricket and it was a happy farewell for them. The stature that Virat has made of himself in all formats, he will surely be missed in T20Is. Both are as same as Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni. They are irreplaceable,” Kapil Dev was quoted as saying at an event by IANS.

Rohit retired from T20Is as the highest run-getter of all time with 4231 runs to his name in 159 matches at an average of 32.05 and a strike rate of 140.89, including 32 fifties and 5 centuries. Kohli, meanwhile, finished his career as the second-highest run-getter in T20Is with 4188 runs from 125 matches at an average of 48 and a strike rate of over 137, including 38 fifties and a solitary half-century.

Kohli, Rohit to be seen in action in Sri Lanka series

The star duo was expected to be given a break from India’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. However, they made themselves available on new head coach Gautam Gambhir’s request and will feature in the ODI series against the hosts. India will play three T20Is and as many ODIs against Sri Lanka starting July 27. Rohit will lead the side in ODIs while Suryakumar Yadav will take charge of the team in T20Is.