The future of Indian cricket stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in India's ODI setup has been a hot topic of discussion in recent months.
Both veterans have stepped away from T20Is and Test cricket and with the next ODI World Cup scheduled for 2027, questions remain about whether the two icons can realistically continue until then.
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Reports have even suggested that the management may not want them beyond the upcoming Australia series - adding more weight to the ongoing debate.
Deep Dasgupta on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's retirement calls
Former India wicket-keeper batter Deep Dasgupta has strongly pushed back against the chatter around retirement. Speaking to RevSportz, he said no one outside has the authority to decide when the duo should walk away from the game.
"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," Dasgupta said.
He highlighted that performance; not age - should remain the deciding factor for selection. He also noted that both players still look fit and motivated to compete at the highest level.
Dasgupta pointed out that Indian cricket is results-driven and as long as Rohit and Kohli deliver, there is no reason to talk about retirement. He admitted feeling frustrated whenever people demand that senior players call it a day - stressing that such decisions should remain personal.
"You keep performing, you stay. There is absolutely no two ways about it," he added.
Looking ahead, Dasgupta suggested that the two should consider playing domestic and overseas 50-over cricket to maintain form during a period where India's ODI schedule looks light.
He named the Vijay Hazare Trophy, English one-day competitions and potentially leagues in South Africa and Australia as realistic options. He concluded that hunger and motivation would ultimately determine how long Rohit and Kohli remain part of the game - both for India and elsewhere.