Deep Dasgupta opined that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma deserve a longer rope compared to other players as they have served the country for a very long time and helped the Men in Blue win multiple titles.
The former India wicketkeeper made this remark amid doubts over Kohli and Rohit's future in international cricket, especially after the Indian team lost the ODI series to England 2-1 earlier this month. Kohli and Rohit have retired from the other two formats of the game and whenever they have a bad
outing with the bat, questions are raised about their place in the side.
Dasgupta said that while Rohit, Kohli, and Shubman Gill are three pillars of the ODI team heading into the 50-over World Cup next year, it is important for all of them to keep performing to shut the critics.
"Everyone has to perform, not just them, with 14 months left for the World Cup. God forbid Shubman Gill doesn't score runs in the next two series. There will be questions asked even about his place in the side despite him being the captain. So performance is mandatory for everyone. Yes, some like Rohit, Virat and Gill deserve a longer rope with more chances because of their performances for an extended period of time. So they will get more chances than someone else," Dasgupta said on his YouTube channel.
"There is no need to constantly isolate Rohit and Virat" - Deep Dasgupta
Dasgupta stated that Rohit and Kohli shouldn't be looked at differently from other players, as everyone in the team will have to churn out performances heading into the marquee event next year.
"There is no need to constantly isolate Rohit and Virat. They will have to perform like everyone else. So it's not a debate about Rohit and Virat. It's a debate about everyone, all of whom need to keep performing, with less than a year left for the World Cup. So leave them (Rohit and Virat) alone. Don't treat them separately," said Dasgupta (via the aforementioned source).
India's next ODI assignment is against the West Indies, which will be played in India, starting on September 27.
