Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta has criticized the speculations about veteran opener Rohit Sharma’s retirement during India’s recent ODI series against England. Dasgupta said that this discussion should never have started when Rohit was playing for the national team and termed it unnecessary.
Rohit was out cheaply in the second ODI in Cardiff. However, the former India captain answered his critics by playing a brilliant inning of 138 runs off 110 balls in the final ODI at Lord’s. Indian cricket team, while chasing the target of 388 runs, fell behind by 27 runs. India, under Shubman Gill, lost the three-match series 2–1.
I was really angry – Deep Dasgupta questions retirement rumors
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Deep Dasgupta said that speculations surrounding Rohit Sharma’s retirement were unnecessary and added that a player’s place in the team should depend only on performance.
Deep Dasgupta said, “I want to express a little bit of my anger here because when I was reading and hearing all this, I was getting very angry. The simple thing is that as long as you keep scoring runs, you will keep playing. Questions arise when such an environment is created.”
“To be honest, I have not heard it from any selector, captain or coach. It is a different matter if it has been said off the field, which I am not aware of.”
News of Rohit’s retirement came to light after Rohit’s poor scores in the first two ODIs against England. However, BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia dismissed the speculations and said that there has been no discussion about the former India captain retiring from international cricket.
Leave them alone – Deep Dasgupta supports senior players
Deep Dasgupta also urged the selectors and team management to avoid unnecessary debate over experienced players ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. He said that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli should be judged on the basis of their performance.
“When you know the performance is needed, things like this should not happen at all. Some guys may get more chances, like Virat, Rohit, Shubman, they have been performing really well over the years.”
Dasgupta concluded, “This is not a debate about Rohit, this is a debate about everyone. It’s bound to happen when there are so many matches, so leave them alone. Don’t treat them differently. No need to change anything, just keep it simple.”
Let there be noise – Rohit Sharma breaks the silence
After the series, Rohit Sharma also talked about retirement rumors in the video shared by BCCI.. The opening batsman said that his focus is on helping India win the match and he is not distracted by outside speculations.
Rohit Sharma had said, “What really matters is what I do on the field, the efforts I make and contribute to the team’s success. That’s all my focus.”
“Let there be noise, there’s no fun if there’s no noise. My work is inside, their work is outside, that’s the way I look at it.”
India’s next ODI match is a home series against West Indies in September. Rohit is expected to remain a part of India’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
