India's most successful Test skipper Sourav Ganguly says the time is not right for senior players to retire, and selectors should not force them to quit the game.
"Players like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman should decide on their own when it comes to taking a call on quitting the game. The day their performance drops, they will leave on their own," Ganguly said.
"Dravid and Laxman have already phased out from ODI cricket. Sachin also plays very less. It is good to see youngsters perform so well in the shorter format, but I am more worried about Tests.
"We haven't seen anyone who can challenge these seniors. Definitely, the time hasn't come to phase out seniors in Tests," Ganguly added.'Selectors will have to take a call on players' retirement'
Former captain Kapil Dev, however, felt the selectors should take the decision and proposed an orderly phase-out of the seniors.
"It is the selectors who will have to take a call on their retirement. A player never likes to retire. Selectors should see the bigger picture and take a tough decision. But they [selectors] should do this while giving full respect to these seniors," Kapil told Aaj Tak.
"All three seniors -- Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and V V S Laxman -- should not play together in a single Test. Two of them can play and one can be rested so that a youngster can be tested in his place.
"In this manner we can give a chance to a talented youngster without taking too much risk and making too many changes all of a sudden," Kapil added.
Kapil felt poor fitness is affecting the youngsters' performance, and they should be given more chances on the international stage.'Raina has wasted too many opportunities'
"Everyone knows that it is not going to be easy to find replacements for the likes of Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman. It is going to be extremely difficult. But youngsters, even though they might have failed in whatever chances they've got till now, have to be given another go," he said.
"Actually, the problem is not with their [youngsters'] talent. It is their poor fitness level which is letting them down. Coach and selectors will have to play a big role. Youngsters should also learn to take pride in their cricket," said the former all-rounder.
Former cricketer Madan Lal, meanwhile, was critical of the attitude shown by youngsters in the current team.
"There is lack of work ethics in today's players. They have to up their fitness levels. Players like Kohli, Pujara and Rohit will have to be given chances," Lal said.
"I will, though, not give another chance to Suresh Raina, as he has already wasted too many. Instead, Yuvraj, who hasn't got much opportunity in Tests, should be tested again."
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