Ravi Shastri opens up on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s ODI future ahead of Australia series

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has opened up on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s ODI future ahead of the ODI series against Australia. Shastri reckons the veteran duo is aware that they are pushed by the youngsters, who are waiting in the wings for their chances

While Rohit 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.

Virat and Rohit have all the experience under their belt and they would look to come up with consistent performances in the Australia series.

Ravi Shastri told reporters in Sydney as quoted by TOI, “They’re part of the mix. It depends on their fitness, their hunger, and, of course, form. So, I think this series is very important to see how they go. They themselves will know by the end of this series how they feel, and then it’s their call. Rohit Sharma … Virat Kohli … they know that these youngsters are pushing them.”

“A lot of good young talent and a lot of all-rounders as well in Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel, so it’s a strong white-ball unit. India is much stronger in white-ball than red-ball cricket. (Tilak Varma’s) innings in that Asia Cup final was absolutely fantastic. Because under pressure, to play like that was impressive. There are some good young guns there in Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Tilak Varma.”

The former all-rounder added that the big boys are bound to step in the big matches of the major ICC tournaments.

“But there’s no substitute for experience when it comes to the big games, as we saw in the Champions Trophy. Come the big games, and the big boys step up. At that age, you’ve got to enjoy it and still have the hunger,” said Shastri (via the aforementioned source).

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were brilliant in the ODI World Cup 2023. Rohit scored 597 runs in 11 matches of the World Cup 2023 at an average of 54.27 and a blistering strike rate of 125.95. The talisman scored three fifties and one century in the ODI showpiece. 

On the other hand, Virat Kohli finished the tournament as the highest run-getter with 765 runs in 11 matches at an average of 95.62 and a strike rate of 90.32. Ergo, he was awarded Player of the tournament for his consistent performances.