Virat Kohli recently achieved the milestone of 100 Test matches, against Sri Lanka in Mohali. He became only the 12th Indian to complete hundred appearances in the longest format of the game.
Kohli has scored 8043 runs at an average of 49.96 in his illustrious Test career so far. In 2011, He made his Test debut against West Indies. 11 years later, Virat Kohli continues to be the backbone of Indian batting line-up.
A lot of factors play a role in a cricketer having a long career. Hard work is something which all professional cricketers focus on. But being in the right place at the right time is also important. Specially in a country like India where millions of people play cricket.
Another factor is captain’s trust. You getting a longer rope during a bad phase or not, depends a lot on the captain. If he trusts in your abilities, you might get extra chances to prove yourself. If not, it can become difficult to secure a spot in the team.
On that note, Here we look at 4 Indian cricketers who made their Test debut after Virat Kohli but have already retired:
#1 Stuart Binny
Stuart Binny played 6 Test matches for India scoring 194 runs at an average of 21.56 and picking three wickets. In the second innings of his debut at Trent Bridge (2014), Binny played a brilliant innings of 78 runs. The knock helped India save the match.
Binny played his last Test in 2015 against South Africa. He announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in August 2021.
#2 Naman Ojha
Naman Ojha played his only Test in 2015, against Sri Lanka. He replaced injured Wriddhiman Saha in India’s XI. Ojha scored 21 in first and 35 runs in second innings. India won the match by 117 runs.
Ojha retired from all formats of cricket in Feb 2021. He recently featured in the Legends League Cricket 2022 for India Maharajas.
Other retired players like Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Stuart Binny, Wasim Jaffer etc were also part of the team. Ojha finished as the leading run-scorer (259) in the tournament.
#3 Pankaj Singh
Pankaj Singh had one of the most unluckiest debuts. In Southampton, Ravindra Jadeja dropped Alastair Cook’s catch off his bowling. More catching and LBW chances were created, but none of them went in his favour. Pankaj eventually went wicketless on debut conceding 179 runs.
His maiden wicket came in his second (and last) match when he dismissed Joe Root on 77. He also dismissed Jos Buttler later in the innings. Pankaj Singh retired from all forms of cricket in July 2021.
#4 R Vinay Kumar
Ranganath Vinay Kumar played his only Test match, at the WACA during India’s dismal tour to Australia in 2011-12. Kumar picked just 1 wicket in the match which Australia won by an innings and 37 runs.
Vinay Kumar announced his retirement from international and first class cricket in Feb 2021. Kumar scalped 504 wickets in 139 First Class matches, and is the highest wicket-taker among fast bowlers in Ranji Trophy history.
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