NEW DELHI: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has called on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to participate in domestic cricket to rejuvenate their Test careers following a string of underwhelming performances.
Shastri, speaking on The ICC Review, emphasised that a stint in red-ball domestic cricket could not only sharpen their skills but also allow them to mentor the younger generation of cricketers.
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“If there’s a gap for them, I think they should go back and play some domestic cricket,” Shastri said. “When you play Test match cricket for that length of time, it’s important to play domestic cricket for two reasons: You’re abreast with the current generation, and you can contribute to that younger generation with your experience.”
The comments come in the wake of India’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy loss to Australia, where Kohli managed just 190 runs in five Tests despite an unbeaten century in Perth, and Rohit, the Test captain, averaged a dismal 6.2.
Shastri highlighted Kohli’s technical issues against spin and outside the off-stump in recent series, as well as India’s overall struggles on turning tracks. “If you have quality spinners in the opposition, they can trouble you. And they have troubled India,” Shastri stated, pointing to the importance of match practice against such conditions.
While offering practical advice, Shastri left the final decision to Kohli and Rohit, focusing on their hunger and desire to continue in the longest format. “They would know how hungry they are. When you’re in your 30s – one is 36, the other is 38 – it’s the hunger and desire that matter.”
Drawing parallels with legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara, Shastri reiterated how experienced players can play a critical role in transitioning the team and supporting the younger players. “If you look at Tendulkar’s last couple of years, he himself would say he was not at his best. But he wanted to contribute and help the next generation,” Shastri said.
Kohli, Shastri believes, could adopt a similar role, assisting promising players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant. “There are a lot of guys who can benefit from the experience of a player of Virat Kohli’s calibre,” he added.
As Team India grapples with a transitional phase in Test cricket, Shastri’s insights underscore the value of experience coupled with the willingness to adapt – a lesson for both Kohli and Rohit as they navigate the twilight of their illustrious careers.
