Home
Former Team India's head coach Ravi Shastri walked down the memory lane came out of with a sensational revelation from the diary of Birmingham Test between India and England last year.
India took on England in the rescheduled fifth Test in Edgbaston with a setback of missing skipper Rohit Sharma, who was ruled out of the match days before as he was infected with Convid-19. In Rohit's absence Jasprit Bumrah took up the captaincy mantle and led India in the decisive match.
Now a year after, Shastri rewinded his memory and has his say on the scenario. Shastri said had he been the coach of Team India then, he would have asked Virat Kohli to lead the team in the fifth Test against Ben Stokes' men.
Notably, back in 2021, Kohli had stepped down from T20I captaincy and was later removed as skipper in the ODIs as well. In January 2022, he relinquished his duties as Test captain too and since then Rohit has been leading India in all the three formats of the game.
"If it's for a major game like that, then yes. I mean, you want Rohit to be fit as he is the captain of the side. In case of unforeseen circumstances, definitely I will look in that direction. Once Rohit was injured, I thought he would be asked. If I was still there, I would have asked. I'm not sure Rahul (Dravid) would have done the same thing, I haven't spoken to him. I would have recommended to the board as it's only fair if he leads because he is part of the team that is leading 2-1 in the series," Shastri was quoted as saying on ESPNcricinfo.
Shastri who was the head coach of India from 2017 to 2021, also said that Kohli is in a better mind space than last year as his energy and enjoyment has come back.
"That's the feeling I got as opposed to last year when we were discussing 'does he need a break?' He seemed to have the burden of the whole world on his shoulders. Now, he is refreshing. You feel that enthusiasm, passion for the game. The energy and enjoyment has come back, which for me was the best thing to see. You might get runs or you may not, but when you see someone with the passion and drive, it's good, especially a player of his quality," Shastri added.
Kohli, who stepped down from RCB captaincy, has been leading the Bangalore-based franchise in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) for the last three matches due to Faf Du Plessis' injury, and is also among the top-run getters in the tournament.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
‘People forget that hundred at the MCG…’: Ravi Shastri on Rahane's inclusion in India's squad for WTC final
Big blow to Kolkata Knight Riders as another star player pulls out of IPL 2023 citing personal reasons
