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Team India skipper Rohit Sharma and batting stalwart Virat Kohli did not have an outing to remember, especially in the highly-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. While Virat Kohli amassed 190 runs across the five Tests, with his unbeaten 100 being only promising innings, Rohit Sharma could manage only 31 runs from five innings at an average of 6.20.
Seeing their dismal run in Test cricket, several along with head coach Gautam Gambhir opined Indian cricketers to return to domestic cricket. In the latest move, former India head coach and cricketer Ravi Shastri also suggested the duo to return to domestic cricket to improve their form.
I think they should go back and play some domestic cricket: Ravi Shastri
Speaking on the ICC Review days after the conclusion of the BGT 2024-25, the former Indian cricketer opined that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli should try and play some domestic cricket and see how it goes. “If there’s a gap for them, I think they should go back and play some domestic cricket and see how it is,” he said on ICC Review.
“Because 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. And more importantly, you get to play spin more than you will never play. So, if you see India as recorded, India on turning tracks is not the greatest. If you have quality spinners in the opposition, they can trouble you. And they have troubled India,” he added.
Further speaking on the future of the two senior cricketers, Shastri opined that the hunger and desire would clarify their future in the longest format of the game. “They might have been lucky to get over a couple of series, but you saw how New Zealand exposed them before coming to Australia. So I would leave it on that. And plus, it’s the hunger and desire. When you’re in your 30s, one is 36, the other is 38. They would know how hungry they are,” added Shastri.
However, India will next play England in red-ball cricket in May-June, they will face the Three Lions in a limited-overs tour in January - February before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. It has to be seen if Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma feature in the three-match ODI series, which is set to commence from February 6.
