Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has issued a strong and direct warning to the BCCI, asking officials to stop “needling” senior stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma amid ongoing tension about their roles and future in Indian cricket.
In a teaser clip from an interview with Prabhat Khabar, Shastri — known for his bold opinions — called Kohli and Rohit “white-ball giants” and cautioned that trying to corner the duo is a dangerous move.
Shastri said:
“These two are grandfathers… White-ball giants. Aise players ke saath masti mat karo yaar (don’t mess with such players). Agar unka dimaag theek ho gaya na, and sahi button dabaaye na, sab aaju-baaju nikal jayenge (If they press the right button, everyone will run for cover).”
The comment comes at a crucial time, with reports of strained relations between Kohli–Gambhir, and Rohit–Agarkar. Visuals of a cold exchange between Kohli and head coach Gautam Gambhir after the first ODI in Ranchi have intensified speculation.
A recent report also suggested that discussions between Rohit and chief selector Ajit Agarkar reached a stalemate during the tour of Australia.
Shastri’s Subtle Dig
When asked who was trying to trouble Kohli and Rohit, Shastri bluntly said:
“The ones who want to.”
This marks a shift from his earlier neutral stance, where he had said the pair would feature in the 2027 ODI World Cup only if fitness and form permitted. His latest comments, however, clearly support the senior pros.
‘Experience Can’t Be Bought’
Shastri highlighted the irreplaceability of the duo:
“You can’t buy experience from the market. One is a master chaser, the other has three double centuries in ODI cricket.”
BCCI’s Hard Line
The cricket board has reportedly insisted that both Kohli and Rohit must participate in domestic cricket if they want to remain in the ODI setup. Kohli’s decision to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy signaled compliance but also confirmed the pressure from the top.
Background Tensions
The combination of:
- strained relationships,
- younger talent pushing for spots,
- BCCI’s domestic cricket mandate,
- and the approaching 2027 World Cup
has intensified the spotlight on the future of India’s two biggest cricketing icons.
Shastri’s explosive comments now add a new layer to an already heated narrative in Indian cricket.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
