"Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have retired..." Indian batting coach clears the long-standing debate over ODI spot

After witnessing the masterclass from Indian veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma over the last two ODI series, several former players have slammed the questioning of their place in the Indian ODI XI. Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar has asserted that their place in the ODI setup should never have been questioned.

Following India's heroic win against South Africa at Visakhapatnam on Saturday, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were once again the architects behind the win and hence received an extensive amount of backing from one of their former coaches.

While the national selectors and the Indian head coach seemed doubtful about whether Virat and Rohit would be able to maintain their form and fitness until the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, the scorecards of recent matches recite a different tale.

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Rohit Sharma—Virat Kohli's place in the ODI XI should not have been questioned—remarks Former Indian coach

The two veterans have been India's standout batters, with 300+ runs for Rohit Sharma and 350+ runs for Virat Kohli in the last two series combined since their return to international cricket. Kohli and Rohit both scored three centuries and five half-centuries between them in their last six innings.

Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar has hence mentioned that in the first place, the form of these two players and their position in the team should never have been questioned.

"I don't think the place of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the team should have been a question. Look at what they have done over so many years," Bangar told JioStar.

"They don't need to play as many matches as a younger player." Bangar goes against BCCI's norms

After the two veterans had already retired from the other two formats of international cricket, Bangar felt that it would be natural for any player to take some time to adjust to the conditions, but also asserted that they had earned enough allowance through their years of experience.

"They have retired from two formats, so it's obvious they might take just a couple of sessions to get back into action, because they have done it so often. They don't need to play as many matches as a younger player.

"Once they are there, once they are hungry and fit, you want players of that quality. You have to treat them differently and give them space," he added.

Virat Kohli and Rohit have proved from time to time that they are the modern-day's greatest-ever limited-overs cricketers, and it is not only due to their record but also due to the ambience they bring to the Indian dressing room.

"When they are on song, you see the difference. Their sheer presence changes the dressing room atmosphere," Bangar concluded.

Sanjay Bangar credits the big boys for having lifted the morale of the dressing room

Sanjay Bangar, who has had considerable experience working with Rohit Sharma and more with Virat Kohli, since he has also coached them in the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad, he believes that the two might have had a role to play behind the lifted morale of the Indian players.

"After the humiliating loss in the Test series, they must have spoken to the boys. They helped put things behind and play with freedom and authority, giving the whole team supreme confidence," Bangar depicted.

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