Former India player and coach Ravi Shastri has made a big comment on the future of Indian veteran stars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the National T20I team. Both these players have been stalwarts of Indian cricket and have carried the Men in Blue name to new heights over the past decade.
But in the recent past, these players have failed to put forth performances at a consistent level, hence Ravi Shastri wants the team management to bring in young players in the T20 side. While speaking on the recent episode of ESPNcricinfo’s Runorder show, Shastri stated that this approach will allow these young players to get international exposure.
Shastri also believes this will help the young players grow into established stars. “First T20 series that comes up, play these guys [the youngsters], expose these guys. They [the selectors] should start blooding them right now,” former India coach said.
He further stated that players like Rohit and Kohli have established themselves on the highest level and hence the team management must keep them healthy for the one-day cricket and Test cricket. Further Shastri believes that with the number of games the team plays, these senior players must be rest for the longer formats.
Ravi Shastri said, “Players like Rohit, Virat Kohli, they are proven, you know what they are all about. I would go in that [good performers in the IPL] direction so that they get the opportunities, they get the exposure, whilst you keep the Virats and the Rohits fresh for one-day cricket and Test cricket.”
“Your focus there with that kind of experience should move to Test cricket, red-ball cricket for the future World Test Championship, and they stay fresh [so that] there is not too much of cricket where there is an overkill,” the former Indian all-rounder added.