The Indian team is currently busy playing the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. The first ODI match has been played between the two countries in which India won by 12 runs. Now the second ODI between the two countries will start from January 21 in Raipur. Before the second ODI, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has given an important suggestion to Virat Kohli.
Ravi Shastri said that instead of playing the last ODI of the series, Virat should play for the Delhi match in the upcoming Ranji Trophy so that he can gain the confidence to bat with the red ball ahead of the much-anticipated Test series against Australia.
Virat Kohli has regained his form in limited overs cricket, but he has not been able to play big innings in Test matches for a long time. His last Test century came against Bangladesh in the year 2019. Virat Kohli also recently featured in the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, where he managed only 45 runs with the bat.
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Ravi Shastri said during the commentary, ‘I have always believed that you should play more first class cricket, especially when you are going to play a lot in India. I think the top players don’t play enough first-class cricket. There’s a lot of cricket around, you don’t want to take risks. But, sometimes you have to be smart and give up some matches looking at the bigger picture.”
He further said, “At the moment the big picture is Australia. I think Virat Kohli should not play the third ODI against New Zealand to prepare for the Border Gavaskar series and should play Ranji matches. Let us tell you that the third ODI between India and New Zealand The match is to be held on January 24.
On the same day of the third ODI, the Delhi team will be playing a Ranji Trophy match against Hyderabad. Shastri cited the example of Sachin Tendulkar who decided to play a home match before the Australia series in a similar fashion 25 years ago.
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Ravi Shastri recalled, ’25 years ago Sachin Tendulkar went to play in the CCI against an Australian team and scored a double century. Two months later in 1998, he scored over 1000 runs across all formats against Australia. He scored a brilliant double century and Australia knew they would not be able to get this man out early.
