Former India coach Ravi Shastri has made a significant statement regarding the one-day international careers of star players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Shastri believes that neither Kohli nor Sharma can consider their spots for the 2027 ODI World Cup as definite. He emphasized that both players will need stellar performances in pivotal series, such as the ongoing one against Australia, to truly cement their places.
Addressing reporters at Kayo Sport’s Summer of Cricket launch in Sydney, Shastri remarked, “That’s why they’re here (playing the ODI series against Australia). They’re part of the mix.”
He further elaborated, “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.”
Drawing a parallel, Shastri added, “It’s the same thing with Steve Smith (who retired from ODIs in March) from Australia’s point of view. At that age, you’ve got to enjoy it and still have the hunger. 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.”
Both Kohli and Sharma have stepped away from Test and T20 International cricket. They are currently part of India’s 15-man ODI squad for the three-match series scheduled in Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney on October 19, 23, and 25.
Interestingly, this squad will be captained by the newly appointed Test skipper, Shubman Gill, who will be leading the 50-over side for the very first time in this series.
Shastri also shared his thoughts on the emerging talent in Indian cricket, highlighting the competitive spirit they bring. He praised young players, stating, “(Tilak Varma’s) innings in that Asia Cup final was absolutely fantastic because under pressure, to play like that was impressive.”
He continued, “There are some good young guns there in Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Tilak Varma. 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.”
Shastri concluded by noting, “India is much stronger in white-ball than red-ball cricket. Rohit Sharma… Virat Kohli… they know that these youngsters are pushing them.”
India’s ODI squad for the series: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain), Axar Patel, KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper), Yashasvi Jaiswal.