‘I was really upset’: Former India cricketer fumes over Rohit Sharma exit saga

India’s Rohit Sharma (ANI photo) Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta slammed speculation surrounding Rohit Sharma’s future during India’s ODI series against England, saying retirement rumors should never have gained traction when the team was still competing.Debate erupted after Rohit’s early dismissal in the second ODI in Cardiff, with reports claiming the veteran opener would retire from ODIs after the series finale at Lord’s. The report also suggested that the Indian team management was ready to walk away from the former captain due to his inconsistent form. The rumors gained enough momentum for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to step in, with secretary Devajit Saikia dismissing the claims as baseless.

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Rohit responded on the field in the best way possible. The opener smashed 138 off 110 balls in the third ODI at Lord’s, though India ended up losing by 27 runs while chasing 388 to lose the three-match series 2-1.Reflecting on the episode, Dasgupta admitted that he was frustrated by the discussions that dominated the series and questioned why such conversations even occurred.“I want to vent a little bit of my anger here because I was really angry when I read and listened to all this. It’s simple that as long as you score runs you will continue to play. The only question comes when that environment is created. To be honest, I haven’t heard that from any selector, captain or coach. It’s another thing if it’s been said off the field, which I’m not,” he said on his YouTube channel.After the series ended, Rohit also addressed the speculation in a video released by the BCCI, insisting that outside noise would not distract him from his duties.“It’s really about what I do on the field, trying and contributing to the success of the team. That’s where my focus is. Let there be noise, if there’s no noise, there’s no fun. My job is inside, their job is outside, that’s how I look at it,” he said.India’s next ODI assignment is the home series against the West Indies in September.Dasgupta also urged the selectors and team management not to create unnecessary uncertainty about senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as India prepares for the 2027 ODI World Cup.According to the former goalkeeper, selection should continue to be based on performance rather than different treatment of established stars.“When you know that performances are needed, then such talks should not happen at all. Some people could get more chances, like Virat, Rohit, Shubman, they have been doing really well for years. It is not a debate about Rohit, it is a debate about everyone. When there are so many matches, it will happen, so let them be. Don’t take them apart. Nothing needs to change,” he concluded.