- By Gurmeet Batra
- Sun, 07 Dec 2025 07:40 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
India vs South Africa ODI Series: Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar believes stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma deserve special treatment due to their unparalleled contributions to Indian cricket, stating that their place in the ODI side should never have been questioned.
The national selection committee members and head coach Gautam might be uncertain about the senior duo maintaining their form and fitness until the 2027 World Cup, but the two batting stalwarts have three hundreds (two by Kohli) and five half-centuries (three by Rohit) between them in the last six ODIs.
Bangar emphasised that they should be given space as they have worked their body over the years for Indian cricket.
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"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 while speaking to JioStar.
Since ODI is the least played format, Bangar understands that it might take a couple of matches to get into the tempo, but they have earned that time with their accomplishments for the national team.
"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," he added.
"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, clear about why there ought to be a separate yardstick for the two white-ball giants.
In the just-concluded series against South Africa, 38-year-old Rohit scored 57 and 75 in the first and third matches while 37-year-old Kohli, who bagged the Player of the Series, had stupendous scores of 135, 102 and 65 not out.
"When they are on song, you see the difference. Their sheer presence changes the dressing room atmosphere," Bangar added.