Ex-India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta blasts retirement rumours surrounding Rohit Sharma
Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta publicly denounced speculation about Rohit Sharma’s future following the second ODI, saying he was upset by the chatter and urging calm from those in charge of selections. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) labeled the retirement rumours as baseless, and Rohit answered any doubts by compiling a century.
Dasgupta, who represented India behind the stumps, reacted strongly after Rohit’s early dismissal in the second ODI sparked talk of possible retirement. The former keeper said the speculation caused him frustration, and he called on decision-makers to avoid unsettling established players. The BCCI moved quickly to dismiss the reports as unfounded, and Rohit’s subsequent hundred provided an on-field rebuttal to the rumours.
"I was really angry," Dasgupta said, reflecting his reaction to the media and public conversation about Rohit’s immediate future. He urged restraint from those influencing selection narratives and suggested such talk could create unnecessary pressure on senior members of the squad. Dasgupta emphasized the need for selectors to shield players from destabilising speculation while decisions are being made.
The retirement chatter gained momentum after Rohit’s early exit in the second ODI, prompting widespread discussion about his continuity in the side. BCCI officials described the claims as baseless, seeking to put an end to the rumours circulating in the aftermath of that match. Rohit then produced a century, a performance that on its face countered the notion that he was on the verge of stepping away from international cricket.
Dasgupta also stressed selection principles in his comments, pressing for transparent, performance-based criteria. "Selection should continue to be based on current performances and contributions," he said, underlining his belief that merit should remain the primary consideration. His remarks were framed as a call to protect senior players from destabilising external narratives during active selection cycles.
The episode combined off-field speculation, a formal denial from the BCCI and a powerful on-field response from Rohit Sharma. Dasgupta’s public frustration highlighted how quickly conjecture can affect perceptions around senior players and reiterated his plea that selectors base decisions on form and contribution rather than rumour.
