Former Indian cricketer Deep Dasgupta has coached Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli on how to maintain and improve their form in order to secure their places in India’s ODI squad.
The two veterans competed in a three-match series in England. Despite the fact that the hosts won the series 2-1, Virat scored half-centuries in the last two games, and Rohit recorded his 34th ODI century in the final game, becoming the first Indian to achieve an ODI century at Lord’s after losing two series.
Dasgupta has urged the two players to maintain good performances and start the series well rather than waiting until the last few games to score runs, emphasising the importance of scoring to keep their positions in the team, given India’s focus on the 2027 ODI World Cup and both players’ expressed desire to compete in the prestigious competition.
“That has to be a conversation with everyone, not just them (Virat and Rohit), about how they need to start the series strong and strike the ground running.
That’s a challenge. You can’t get into the rhythm after just one or two games. But that’s where the support staff comes in, having chats with the players and creating an environment that encourages everyone to do their best.
“There is no need to discuss their roles on the team. Four years ago, they didn’t need to be reassured before each series that they would be on the squad. They were confident that their performances would earn them a spot on the team. So, how is it changing now? “It does not and should not change,” Dasgupta stated in a video on his YouTube account.
Since retiring from Tests in 2025, the partnership has only appeared in one format. The BCCI quickly dismissed reports that Rohit’s farewell ODI will be played at Lord’s after they arose in the media.
Dasgupta reiterated that Virat Kohli and Rohit should be the criteria for team selection, and that because they only play one format, their performances will be evaluated more closely.
“This question regarding their future is being overdone because they only play one format. When you play numerous forms, failing in one but scoring in the other is forgotten. So these two face an unavoidable challenge.
People will remember what they did in this format because they only play one. But our conversation with them should be the same as it was three years ago,” he said.
For their upcoming ODI series, India will host the West Indies for three matches in late September.
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