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Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar said Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should be viewed differently because of their record in ODI cricket, and their place in the team should not have been questioned. He said this while speaking to JioStar.There has been speculation that selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir may be unsure about the senior players’ form and fitness till the 2027 World Cup. But Kohli and Rohit have scored three centuries — two by Kohli — and five half-centuries — three by Rohit — in their last six ODIs.
“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 said.Bangar said ODIs are played less often now, so established players may need a couple of matches to settle in, and Kohli and Rohit have earned that space because of their work for India.“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,” Bangar said.In the ODI series against South Africa, Rohit Sharma, 38, scored 57 and 75 in the first and third matches. Kohli, 37, who was named Player of the Series, scored 135, 102 and 65 not out.“When they are on song, you see the difference. Their sheer presence changes the dressing room atmosphere.”Bangar, who has worked with Kohli at RCB and overseen his batting sessions, said the senior players likely spoke to the younger members after the Test series loss to South Africa.“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.”
