India head coach Ravi Shastri has rubbished the reports that stated about a rift between captain Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, his deputy in white-ball cricket. As per the reports, the duo wasn’t in good terms after World Cup 2019.
When Rohit sat out of the Test series against West Indies, the possible rift between the two players was considered to be the reason behind it but Shastri has denied any such rift between the duo.
Read More: Lahiru Thirimanne, Dasun Shanaka To Lead Sri Lanka In Pakistan After Seniors Back out
“Listen, I have been around the dressing room for the last five years. I have seen how the boys have played and how they have complimented the team and know their work ethics,” he told Gulf News.
“I feel it is absolute nonsense. I have been there with them and I know the way they play. If that was the case why would Rohit get five hundreds in the World Cup? Why would Virat do what he is doing? How would they have partnerships together,” Shastri added.
Also Read: Ravi Shastri to raise fitness level of Indian players; will try Rohit Sharma as Test opener
For now, everything seems to be ‘ok’ between the two star players but should Kohli keep Rohit out of the playing XI in Tests, the reports might suggest about a rift between the duo again.
Rohit is too good a player to be kept on the bench in Tests. To accommodate him in the playing XI, Ravi Shastri looks set to make changes in the batting order and Rohit Sharma might start opening in red-ball cricket right from the home series against South Africa.
Prior to Tests, both the teams will play three T20Is. Contrary to what Kohli had done in the previous season, he did not take rest for the T20I series.
Read More: BBL 2019/20: Melbourne Stars Likely To Add Dale Steyn
It is to be noted that Rohit’s stocks have gone up due to his batting and captaincy credentials. In May this year, Mumbai Indians won IPL 12 to become the most successful team by winning the final. It was MI’s fourth IPL title under Rohit
Also Read: Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav in mix for T20 World Cup
Since he has a great captaincy record in T20 cricket, on occasion, voices have been raised in favour of Rohit to be appointed as India’s T20I captain.