Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has defended the duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma after the pair could not deliver in the first ODI against Australia at the Optus Stadium, Perth on Sunday. India suffered a seven wicket loss (DLS method) after they managed 136-9 in 26 overs.
While Rohit was dismissed after scoring only eight runs, Kohli was sent back to the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Shastri highlighted that the veteran duo was going to be rusty as they were coming back after a long layoff.
Kohli and Rohit had last played International cricket in the Champions Trophy and their last professional assignment was IPL 2025.
“I mean, they came back, they got caught on a dodgy pitch. It was a good toss to win for Australia and then the weather was such that it was not easy. When you come back from a long layoff, you are obviously going to be rusty,” Ravi Shastri said on ICC Review ahead of the second ODI.
“It’s not easy for any overseas team to land in Australia, say, two days prior to a game in Perth and adjust to those conditions straight away, especially when you have that extra bounce and against quality fast bowlers. But I think only time will tell. They’ll go to Adelaide, they have some time off to get into the nets, get their minds sorted and get back into action,” he added.
Shastri said he would not judge too early and feels the prolongation of Kohli and Rohit’s careers will depend on their passion and hunger.
“So I’m in no hurry to judge, but it’s when you come back at that age, after some time, it’s about how much you’re enjoying the sport and how much hunger is there and passion is left in you to play the game. So if you tick the boxes in two out of those three, especially the enjoyment part of it, then you can give them both time because they’ve got class, they’ve got experience and a little bit of time will sort things out. But I’d rather wait than jump and judge immediately,” he further elaborated.
Speaking on Virat Kohli’s Test retirement, Shastri reckons the batter might have ran out of fuel as he had given his absolute everything in the last 15 years.
“Virat Kohli does not leave any stone unturned when it comes to preparation. He’s brutal on himself at times, and that might have taken its toll over a span of time, that stretches back to 14-16 years of cricket. Then that enjoyment factor, that hunger factor, the same focus doesn’t exist. He does not have the appetite to put in the same amount of work day in day out and hence, that might have prompted him the decision (to retire), right or wrong, only time will tell,” Shastri said.
The second ODI between India and Australia will be played at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.
