‘Ab tak band ho jati’: Virat-Rohit retirements spark viewership debate; Sehwag explains why cricket will survive
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma could have walked away from two main chapters of their India careers, however Virender Sehwag believes Indian cricket is much greater than the celebs who dominate it.For years, followers have argued that their curiosity within the sport is tied to particular person superstars. Sehwag, nonetheless, has heard that argument earlier than when Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Sachin Tendulkar known as time on their careers, and says cricket survived each time.In an unique interview with News18, Sehwag dismissed considerations that the retirements of Kohli and Rohit from T20Is and Test cricket would result in a big decline in cricket viewership.
‘Fans stated the identical for Gavaskar, Kapil, Sachin’
Sehwag identified that related considerations have been raised every time an iconic Indian cricketer retired.“Log kehte zaroor hain, unke followers 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 stated.The former India opener acknowledged that some followers could watch much less cricket after their favorite gamers retire, however argued that it doesn’t imply the game itself will lose its enchantment.“Yet, persons are nonetheless watching as a lot cricket as they used to earlier than,” he added.
Cricket is now extra accessible than ever
According to Sehwag, one of many greatest causes cricket continues to draw viewers is its rising accessibility. He contrasted the present viewing panorama with the period when tv was the first manner for followers to observe matches. With smartphones now placing stay cricket and highlights in folks’s arms, the game has develop into simpler to devour.“In truth, extra persons are watching now as a result of earlier it used to return on TV, however now it’s out there on cell phones. It has develop into even simpler,” Sehwag stated.
‘Some of their followers gained’t’
Sehwag did concede that the retirements of Kohli and Rohit might have an effect on a bit of their particular person fan bases.“So, to say that if this participant retires, we gained’t watch cricket anymore, perhaps a few of their followers gained’t,” he stated.“I’ve additionally heard folks say, ‘You stopped enjoying, so we stopped watching,’ however that’s probably not the case. They most likely nonetheless watch a bit of bit,” he added.“Agar cricketers se hello recreation chal rahi hoti, toh ab tak band ho jati,” he concluded.
