New Delhi: Former Indian cricket team spinner Harbhajan Singh revealed what his daughter Hinaya had to say to him after Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket.

8-year-old Hinaya was sad like many cricket fans after Kohli shocked the world with his announcement ahead of the England Test series. Harbhajan revealed that his daughter asked him several times why Kohli was quitting the format, but the former cricketer had no answer for her. Hinaya messaged Kohli to ask the reason behind his decision and the star batsman replied "Beta, now the time has come."

Harbhajan told Instant Bollywood, "I tweeted and asked why, why Virat? Why did you retire from Test cricket? Even my daughter asked me, 'Papa, why did Virat retire?' She also messaged Virat, 'This is Hinaya, Virat, why did you retire?' Virat's heart sank as well. He replied with a smile, 'Beta, it's time.' He knows best."

Meanwhile, legendary spin bowler Harbhajan Singh believes that India's new Test captain Shubman Gill will have to lead from the front in the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, but the young team should not be judged so quickly.

The 25-year-old Gill has been appointed the full-time captain of the Indian team for the new World Test Championship cycle starting with the tour of England next month, while Rishabh Pant will be his deputy.

Harbhajan welcomed Gill's appointment as captain but said there are challenges ahead.

"Of course it is a great move, to have a young captain like Shubman Gill, who has done well in franchise cricket," Harbhajan said during the launch of the TV show 'Who's the Boss'.

He said, "But it is going to be a tough tour, England has never been an easy tour. I hope Shubman, Rishabh Pant... it is a young team. With Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma not being there, there is suddenly a big gap in that team and that also needs to be filled, so Shubman has to step up and lead." Harbhajan said that Gill's team should be given time to settle down and they should not be judged quickly in case they lose the series to England.

He said, "I would also like to tell people not to take hasty decisions, even if this tour is not in their favor."

Harbhajan said, "Even if they do not win, it does not matter, they will learn from it. I am confident that all the players going on this tour will perform better."