Celebrate Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni please, they are idols in more than one sense | Opinion

What makes headlines, a good performance or failure? It was a crazy Wednesday night for Indian cricket fans as Hitman sent the world into a tizzy with an abrupt end to his Test career. Then came the shocker, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders lost to lowly Chennai Super Kings in an important IPL 2025 match at the Eden Gardens.

The campaign for Ajinkya Rahane's side is almost over, and there will be wailing and chest beating in Kolkata and a few more cities where proud Bengalis think their IPL side is supreme.

For the IPL 2024 champions to flop miserably this year will be debated and discussed over Hilsa fish and 'mishti'. Even a miracle may not suffice for KKR to make it to the Playoffs, with 11 points from 12 matches.

MS Dhoni Magic Enthrals Eden Gardens

Indeed, sport is about the surprise element, suspense and how the underdog can bark and bite. Yes, CSK, now looking like an old jalopy which has been refurbished, has a mix of old players and new replacements, has started functioning. That MS Dhoni's motley mix could still make KKR eat humble pie is a story of fighting hard even when there is nothing at stake.

Dhoni's cricket, charisma and capability of springing surprises never cease. So, for MS to still keep wickets, lead and also score vital 17 runs off 18 balls, in the team's winning cause after a top-order collapse, makes him a romantic relic. Of course, credit has to be given to the lion-hearted performance from Afghanistan, as left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad took four for 31 in four overs. At 20, he could perform under pressure, which marks him out as special.

Celebrating the Iconic Duo: Rohit Sharma & MS Dhoni

Back to cricket at large, two men who have done their bit for cricket in India, be it in larger captaincy roles and also for their IPL sides, Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni still ensure social media discusses them. Rohit's retirement from Test cricket is something which has elevated his status further as a player who cares two hoots about power centres. For those who say he was asked to 'smell the coffee' or read the writing on the wall, that's drivel.

If someone says the BCCI selectors were wanting to move on, away from Rohit the captain, don't believe it totally. There are some stories which need to be heard from the player himself. If not, all else perpetuated by a section of the media should be treated as 'jackshit.'

Rohit Sharma was taking time to make up his mind. Yes, for the BCCI to plan, for the first time, is good. In a new WTC cycle, a Test captain who can lead with flair is important. For those who think Shubman Gill is the panacea for all the ills in Indian Test cricket, don't be myopic.

At the same time, don't be disrespectful to Rohit Sharma. He led India with natural skills in the multi formats. That he played 67 Tests and also led in 20-plus Tests, after taking over captaincy from Virat Kohli was not an easy thing. Most of those who write on cricketers today think they have a sense of entitlement.

Come on, heartless hacks, for those of you who know nothing beyond stats and data from search engines, admire what Rohit has done for India. Admire the cricketer that Hitman was and is. Celebrate him, for he was not the leader of Indian cricket due to a largesse from the BCCI.

Yes, his fitness levels are down, and he is working on it. That is why he has said he will stretch his career till the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup. That India will now have three captains in three formats, it's a good sign. Suryakumar Yadav in T20 internationals, Rohit in ODIs and a full-time Test skipper, where the name is not clear, let's wait.

Some people who have written on Rohit Sharma signing off from Test cricket have shown themselves to be like the hangman in a jail who will tighten the noose. Nobody wrote a death warrant for Rohit in Test cricket, he moved on. The best part, he did not crave for a farewell Test or a mini-series as farewell, just like MS Dhoni.

For those who had messaged me last night, why is Virat Kohli still hanging around as he has also been a failure in Test cricket, I have no answer. Kohli will decide what he wants to do and when he will quit Test cricket. There is no hurry unless he becomes a massive failure in the England series.

And now, the sting in the tail, was this MS Dhoni's last match at the Eden Garden in the IPL? Those who write rubbish, please be aware, Dhoni is not bothered about anything or anyone. He was Thala and will be Thala for CSK. He is an evergreen star who will play next year as well if he wants to.

MS is not going to decide today for you, he has enough time to train for eight months and then see before the 2026 IPL. Even against KKR, he came up with a late cameo.

If you watch cricket and understand the emotions in it, there are lakhs of fans who still want to touch the feet of MS and Rohit. They are idols, in more than one sense.

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The author is a senior sports journalist who has covered multiple sports for over three decades.