Former India coach Ravi Shastri has thrown his weight behind veteran cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, delivering a strong message to their detractors. Shastri cautioned against underestimating players of their caliber, particularly as speculation mounts about their roles leading up to the 2027 ODI World Cup. Having spent significant time with both batsmen, Shastri asserted that anyone attempting to create a stir around them would face swift irrelevance should the pair decide to perform.
Shastri firmly believes Kohli and Rohit are unparalleled in white-ball cricket and deserve profound respect. “Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are ODI giants. You don’t mess around with players of that stature,” he declared. He went on to warn that critics questioning them will quickly fade if the duo unleashes their full potential. “If they switch on properly, hit the right buttons, all the ones messing around will disappear from the scene real quick,” Shastri stated, advising, “Don’t mess with players like them. If they get their act together and press the right buttons, everyone else will be sidelined.”
Shastri’s fervent defense underscores his unwavering faith in Rohit and Kohli’s crucial place in India’s white-ball cricket strategy. His statement reinforces the idea that their experience and match-winning skills remain second to none, making them indispensable as India aims for glory in the 2027 ODI World Cup.