ADIOS, RO-ko!

India is a nation whose very soul breathes cricket. The all-encompassing love for the game is evident everywhere — from a local tea-seller on the street to those occupying the highest rungs of their careers. For us, cricket is woven into the very fabric of our lives.

Since the miraculous triumph of Kapil Dev’s team in the 1983 World Cup, which brought the trophy home for the first time, the eleven players who take to the field have become part of our shared folklore.Breaking into the Indian team is akin to scaling a vertiginous mountain.

Staying at the summit and dominating for years is an even greater challenge. At times, our passion for the sport turns into tough love — one misstep on the field can quickly become a plunge into oblivion. In a country like this, achieving greatness over an extended period is nothing short of Herculean. Our generation has been incredibly fortunate to witness two such legends who outclassed their peers for more than a decade — the iconic duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

The ‘Ro-Ko’ partnership has been special for Indian cricket. With countless centuries and numerous memorable innings, these two have been central to India’s dominance on the world stage. Quite possibly, the pair alone could take on entire teams single-handedly.

Yet, forgettable performances in their last two series marked the end of an era for one of the most prolific batting duos in recent cricketing history. When both announced their retirements within days of each other, a stunned silence fell upon me. This was not just any retirement — these two legends would never again don the whites.

For me, this duo has been a treasure trove of lessons. Foremost among these is the lesson of brotherhood. Despite competing in certain facets of the game, they remained the closest of friends and teammates.Secondly, their names have become synonymous with hard work and resilience. They embodied every virtue imaginable in cricket.

Their retirement leaves a deep and enduring void in Test cricket.Tour after tour, series after series, watching their triumphs felt like being on top of the world. The countless cheers from the crowd and the hushed whispers during thrilling Test matches will never quite be the same.Every generation has its own stars.

For us, these two were extraordinary. Though they may not have received the grandest of farewells in Test cricket, their legacy speaks volumes about their warrior spirit.The bond they shared is irreplaceable to every Indian.

Adios, Rohit and Virat!

Saikrit Gulati, Class XI, St John’s High School, Chandigarh