Former head coach of the Indian cricket team, Ravi Shastri, has delivered a powerful rebuttal to individuals questioning the continued presence of batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the national side. His comments come amid increasing public debate over the duo's One Day International future and India's long-term strategy leading up to the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
"Don't Mess With Giants": Shastri's Unambiguous Stance
In a recent interview with Prabhat Khabar, Shastri left no room for ambiguity regarding the status of the two modern-day greats. He explicitly stated that any efforts to sideline Kohli and Rohit were completely unacceptable. The former coach, who has shared a particularly close working relationship with Kohli, was responding to the skepticism that emerged following the senior players' retirements from T20 Internationals.
"Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are ODI giants. You don't mess around with players of that stature," Shastri asserted. When probed about who was responsible for creating such doubts in the public sphere, Shastri opted not to name anyone directly. "Some people are doing it. That's all I will say," he replied cryptically.
A Fiery Warning in Hindi
Shastri, known for his forthright nature, did not hesitate to reiterate his point emphatically in Hindi to drive the message home. "Aise players ke sath aap masti mat karo yaar (Don't fool around with such players)," he warned.
He followed this with an even more pointed remark, suggesting that the critics would quickly retreat if the two champions found their best form. "Karne waale kar rahe hain. Agar unka dimaag theek ho gaya na aur sahi bata daba diya, to sab aaju baaju nikal jayenge (Those who are doing it, are doing it. If their [Kohli and Rohit's] mindset is right and they start performing dominantly, then all those around will vanish)," Shastri added.
Context: The 2027 World Cup Planning & Scrutiny
Shastri's strong defense arrives at a crucial juncture for Indian cricket. The team's roadmap for the 2027 ODI World Cup is under intense discussion, with experts and fans alike debating the balance between experience and youth. The scrutiny on senior players has intensified as the think-tank contemplates succession planning.
Both Kohli and Rohit Sharma remain central figures in India's ODI setup, boasting phenomenal records. Their experience in high-pressure global tournaments is considered invaluable. Shastri's comments serve as a reminder of their monumental contributions and a warning against hastily writing off athletes of their calibre.
The debate is likely to continue, but Shastri's message is clear: questioning the place of proven match-winners like Kohli and Rohit is a futile exercise. Their performance, he implies, will be the ultimate answer to any critic.
