“If they’re performing, play till 45!” – Gambhir bats for Rohit Sharma & Kohli Should Play Till They Perform, I’ve No Role in England Test Team Selection

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India's newly-appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir has weighed in on the futures of senior stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, asserting that age is no barrier if performance persists.

Speaking at the 'India At 2047' Summit hosted by ABP News, Gambhir was firm in stating that he has "no role in selecting the Test squad" for the England tour starting June 20, and emphasised that players should be backed as long as they deliver on the field.

The 42-year-old former opener, known for his candidness, brushed aside swirling chatter around Rohit Sharma's captaincy and Virat Kohli's long-term plans with a pragmatic response. "First things first, a coach's job isn't selecting the team. It is the job of selectors to select. The coach only selects the 11 who will play a match," Gambhir said. "Neither those who coached before me were selectors nor am I a selector."

With speculation intensifying about Rohit, 38, and Kohli, 36, being phased out post the England tour, Gambhir kept the spotlight on performance as the ultimate yardstick. "Till the time they are performing, they should be a part of the team. When you start and when you end, is your individual decision," he stated, before delivering a quote that lit up social media: "If you perform, then why 40, you can jolly well play till 45, who's stopping you?"

India's five-Test tour of England is expected to be a gruelling challenge, and questions remain whether the experienced duo will continue to feature in the red-ball setup. But Gambhir appeared more hopeful about their white-ball prospects. "That (playing 2027 ODI World Cup) will depend on their performance. Only that can ensure their selection," he said, keeping the door open for a prolonged run if form permits.

Gambhir also took a subtle dig at the sentimentality surrounding grand farewells, reiterating his philosophy that it is the journey and contributions that matter-not ceremonial goodbyes. "No sportsman plays cricket thinking about a grand farewell. Rather than farewell, we should try and remember how and in which situations they have won matches for the country," he remarked.

In his signature no-nonsense style, Gambhir added, "Whether he gets farewell or not isn't important. If he has made contribution for the country, that itself is a big enough farewell. Is there any bigger trophy than love from countrymen? Farewells don't matter to cricketers."

Both Rohit and Kohli had come under fire during the last Test series in Australia for lacklustre returns, but bounced back strongly in the Champions Trophy earlier this year. Gambhir acknowledged their efforts, saying, "And what should I say about their performance? The world saw how they performed in CT."

As India prepare for a challenging summer in England, Gambhir's approach seems clear: experience will not be discarded for the sake of change, and legends will be judged solely on merit. In a team brimming with young blood and ageing icons, the message from the new boss is refreshingly simple-play as long as you earn your place.