‘It might happen’ – Ravi Shastri hints Virat Kohli might leave ODI captaincy
Ravi Shastri's tenure as India's head coach recently came to an end.
Team India is set to welcome a new era as Ravi Shastri’s tenure as head coach has come to an end. Having taken over the position at the helm in 2017, the former Indian all-rounder has certainly done well as a coach. Under him, Team India recorded numerous memorable wins including a couple of Test series win on Australian soil. Shastri is known to share a great camaraderie with Indian skipper Virat Kohli and the duo have never hesitated in lauding each other.
It has to be noted that Kohli has stepped down as India’s T20I captain following the conclusion of his side’s campaign in the T20 World Cup 2021. He has passed the baton veteran batter, Rohit Sharma. As Kohli cited workload behind his major decision, many believe he could quit ODI captaincy as well. Interestingly, Shastri, who has closely worked with Kohli since 2017, also feels the same.
Virat Kohli might say he wants to focus just on Test captaincy: Ravi Shastri
“In red-ball cricket, India has been the No1 team in the world for the last 5 years under Virat Kohli. So unless he wants to give up or if he is mentally fatigued and says he wants to focus on his batting – which can happen in the near future, don’t think it will happen immediately – it can happen,” Ravi Shastri told India Today.
“The same might happen with the ODI. He might say he wants to focus just on Test captaincy. It is his mind and body that will make that decision. He won’t be the first, there are many players in the past who have had very successful tenures and captains and then given it up to focus on batting,” he added.
Meanwhile, Shastri has been replaced by none other than former Indian captain Rahul Dravid. Having mentored India A and India Under-19 in the past, Dravid is well versed with the drill of coaching. Hence, expectations are sky-high from him. His maiden assignment as India’s full-time coach will be the upcoming home series against New Zealand which comprises three T20Is and a couple of Test matches.
With many big names being rested for the tour, it would be interesting to see how the Men in Blue tackle the Kiwis.
Download Our App