'Don’t mess with Rohit & Virat': Former India great gives strong message to BCCI & selectors

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has issued a sharp warning to the selection committee and team management, asking them to stop interfering with the careers of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He cautioned that provoking two of India’s greatest white-ball players could prove costly.

Despite their seniority and reduced cricketing workload, Rohit and Kohli continue to face constant scrutiny regarding form and future. Shastri believes that attempts to sideline them or push them out of the system are deliberate and unnecessary. He stressed that undermining legends of their stature is equivalent to inviting trouble for Indian cricket.

“These two are giants of white-ball cricket. Don’t fool around with them. Agar unka dimaag theek ho gaya aur sahi button dabaaye, sab bhaagenge (If they switch on and hit their peak, everyone else will be left behind)," said Shastri during a recent interaction.

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When asked who was responsible for this ‘masti’, Shastri replied without hesitation — “The ones who want to.” He reiterated that India would be unwise to cut ties with the two greats before the 2027 ODI World Cup, though he acknowledged that surviving competition from emerging young players won’t be simple.

Shastri, who oversaw India’s dominant run from 2017 to 2021 — often regarded as a golden era — credited Rohit and Kohli as pillars of that success. He reminded that experience like theirs cannot be replaced overnight.

“You can’t buy experience. One is the best chaser in world cricket, the other has three ODI double hundreds,” he said, hinting that both are still irreplaceable.

Ever since the duo stepped away from Test cricket, whispers around their ODI future have intensified. Their relationship with current management, including Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar, reportedly remains strained, further fuelling uncertainty. The board’s directive for them to return to domestic cricket also did not sit well with the seniors.

Meanwhile, former players like Kris Srikkanth and Mohammad Kaif believe India cannot win the 2027 World Cup without Rohit and Kohli. However, the BCCI has not officially guaranteed them spots, leaving the future of the two icons hanging in the balance.