NEW DELHI: Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar believes that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma deserve special treatment for their long-standing contributions, and their place in the ODI side should never have been questioned.

While some members of the national selection panel and head coach Gautam Gambhir may have concerns about the duo maintaining form and fitness ahead of the 2027 World Cup, Kohli and Rohit have more than answered on the field.

In the last six ODIs, the pair have collectively scored three centuries (two by Kohli) and five half-centuries (three by Rohit), underlining their continued value to the team.

"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.

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Since ODIs are played less frequently, Bangar acknowledges that it can take a few matches for players to find their rhythm - but Kohli and Rohit have more than earned that leeway through their stellar contributions to 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.

"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 needs to be a different yardstick for the two white-ball legends.

In the recently concluded ODI series against South Africa, 38-year-old Rohit Sharma contributed with scores of 57 and 75 in the first and third matches, while 37-year-old Virat Kohli, named Player of the Series, produced a stunning 135, 102, and an unbeaten 65.

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"When they are on song, you see the difference. Their sheer presence changes the dressing room atmosphere."

Bangar, who has also worked with Kohli at the RCB and personally overseen his batting sessions, feels that the two seniors must have spoken to the younger members who were part of the embarrassing Test whitewash against the Proteas.

"After the humiliating loss in the Test series, they must have spoken to the boys. They helped put things behind and play with freedom and authority, giving the whole team supreme confidence."

(With PTI Inputs)