Former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta suggested that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli should play county cricket in England to stay fit and ready.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are set to make their ODI return in the upcoming series against Australia, keeping alive their only active international format after stepping away from T20Is and Tests. With the 2027 World Cup on the horizon, questions remain over whether the two can sustain their careers into their late thirties.
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta has backed the duo, stressing that decisions on retirement should remain entirely personal. He highlighted that performance alone dictates selection in modern cricket.
“Nobody has got that right. We never told them to start, so we are nobody to tell them when to stop. They stop when they stop. It’s completely up to them. Yes, as far as selection is concerned, we are in a performance-oriented industry. You keep performing, you stay. There is absolutely no two ways about it. I saw recently pictures of him (Rohit), he is looking fit, he is up and running and up for the challenge coming towards him,” he said in an exclusive interview with RevSportz.
“Yes, as far as selection is concerned, we are in a performance-oriented industry. You keep performing, you stay. There is absolutely no two ways about it. I saw recently pictures of him (Rohit), he is looking fit, he is up and running and up for the challenge coming towards him. I personally feel they both have got a few years left in them going forward. And I seriously get a little annoyed when people say, ‘oh, this guy should retire’. I mean, who are we to suggest anything like that?” Dasgupta added.
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Dasgupta then noted that a key challenge for the duo would be the limited number of ODIs in the international calendar, with T20s and Tests dominating schedules. However, he suggested that domestic tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy, along with overseas opportunities in England and potentially other countries, could help them maintain rhythm.
“For example, IPL will be there for two months. Then they will be playing 7-8 ODIs or maybe 8-9. Now between that, you’ve got the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Then, if they want, they can go and play 50 overs in England. So you have options to keep playing cricket, might not be at the highest level or international, but you still have,” he said.
“I don’t know if there is a possibility, maybe go to South Africa or maybe go to Australia and play some 50-over games there. I know, as far as England is concerned, that’s definitely an option. I don’t know much about the rules involved with South Africa, Australia though, but the bottom line is the hunger. If they are hungry enough, they will find a way,” the former cricketer concluded.
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Last Updated on September 4, 2025
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