Dilip Vengsarkar questions how selectors judged Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s form and fitness for Australia series

Former Indian captain Dilip Vengsarkar questioned how the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel judged Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s form and fitness for the ODI series against Australia. Vengsarkar highlighted the duo hasn’t played cricket since a long time and thus it won’t be easy for them.

While Rohit Sharma has amassed 11,168 runs in 273 ODI matches at an impressive average of 48.77, Kohli has aggregated 14,181 runs in 302 ODI games at a stunning average of 57.88; thus, their records speak for themselves.

The veteran duo has performed consistently in the 50-over format and they would look to carry the good show.

“Rohit and Virat have been great players over the years, but if you are playing just one format of the game, I believe the selectors need to take a call on this,” Vengsarkar told mid-day. “I feel you cannot know or judge the form and fitness of such players because they’ve had a long layoff after the last game they have played. It’s very difficult to assess their form and fitness.”

“Rohit and Virat have possibly been picked because of their great records. They have been great players and have done yeomen service to Indian cricket, having won many matches in all formats of the game. But since they have not been playing Test match cricket as well as T20s, and are playing only one format, one-day matches, which is not very often played during the season, it’s very difficult to gauge their form and fitness. But since they have been picked, the selectors may have checked that, though I don’t know how,” Vengsarkar said.

Speaking on the duo’s future in the ODI format, the former chief selector said it will be up to the selectors to take a call on Rohit and Virat.

“It’s really up to the selectors whether they want to stick with Rohit and Virat or look ahead and give opportunities to those players who are available for all formats of the game. It depends on how they look at Indian cricket going ahead,” he said.

Kohli and Rohit will be seen in action in a three-match ODI series against Australia.