Ravi Shastri considers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli ‘lucky’ to get consistent chances despite form slump

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri believes the veteran duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are lucky to get a long rope from the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel. India suffered a 1-3 loss against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar series and both Rohit and Kohli could not deliver with the ball.

While Kohli amassed 190 runs in nine innings at an average of 23.75, Rohit could only gather 31 runs in five innings at 6.20. In nine innings, Kohli was caught behind on eight occasions whereas Rohit also had no answers to Australian pacers.

Both Kohli and Rohit averaged sub-25 in Test cricket in 2024 and it was another forgettable year for the pair.

Speaking on ICC Review, Ravi Shastri said, “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,” he added, while discussing their future in Test cricket.

Meanwhile, Ravi Shastri opined that both Rohit and Kohli should go back to the domestic circuit to regain their lost form. While Kohli played Ranji Trophy for Delhi in 2012, Rohit last turned up for Mumbai in 2015.

“If there’s a gap for them, I think they should go back and play some domestic cricket and see how it is. 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.”

India recently also suffered a 0-3 loss against New Zealand at home and Shastri backed Rohit and Kohli to tighten their game against the spinners.

“And more importantly you get to play spin more than you will ever 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,” the 62-year-old added.

India will next take on England in five T20Is and three ODIs.