Virender Sehwag has pushed back against worries that cricket viewership in India will suffer following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from T20 internationals and Test cricket. In an exclusive interview with News18, the former Indian opener said concerns about declining interest tied to individual stars are nothing new and pointed to similar reactions when Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, and Sachin Tendulkar ended their careers.
“Log kehte zaroor hain, unke fans kehte hain ki hum Virat Kohli ke liye cricket dekhte hain ya Rohit Sharma ke liye dekhte hain. Par aisa toh Sunil Gavaskar ke liye bhi kaha jata tha, Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar ke liye bhi kaha jata tha,” Sehwag said. He noted that despite these fears, cricket’s popularity has always endured.
Sehwag acknowledged that some fans may watch less cricket without their favourite players but stressed that the sport itself remains popular. “Yet, people are still watching as much cricket as they used to before,” he added.
One of the reasons Sehwag gave for cricket’s continued draw is its increasing accessibility. He contrasted the current digital era with the past when fans mostly relied on television broadcasts. Smartphones now allow instant access to live matches and highlights, making the game easier to follow.
“In fact, more people are watching now because earlier it used to come on TV, but now it is available on mobile phones. It has become even easier,” he said.
Sehwag did admit that some fans of Kohli and Rohit might stop watching cricket altogether but suggested this would be a limited effect. “So, to say that if this player retires, we won’t watch cricket anymore, maybe some of their fans won’t,” he said. “I have also heard people say, ‘You stopped playing, so we stopped watching,’ but that’s not really the case. They probably still watch a little bit.”
The former opener concluded with a remark on the nature of the sport. “Agar cricketers se hi game chal rahi hoti, toh ab tak band ho jati,” he said, implying cricket’s popularity goes beyond individual players.
The retirements of Kohli and Rohit from certain formats have sparked debate among fans and analysts about how Indian cricket will evolve without two of its most prolific performers. Kohli, once captain and a prolific run-scorer, and Rohit, known for his record-breaking innings, have been central figures in the team for years. Yet Sehwag’s comments remind that Indian cricket has weathered similar transitions before, with the sport continuing to attract attention and viewers.
As the Indian team moves forward, the impact of losing such high-profile players will be measured not only in runs and wickets but also in how the sport maintains its broad appeal. Meanwhile, the digital age offers more ways than ever for fans to stay connected to cricket, potentially softening the blow of retirements on viewership figures.
According to Yahoo Sports.