Instead of playing ODIs, Shastri suggested Kohli play Ranji

Australia is coming to India in February. The Australian series is an important series for  Rohit-Bhirat. Former Indian cricket team coach Ravi Shastri advised Kohli to do better in the series against Australia. Shastri advised Kohli to skip one-day cricket and play Ranji in order to do well in the Test series against Australia.

Kohli is in great form this year. He is doing great with the bat in white-ball cricket. However, he has not yet played an inning of big runs in red ball cricket. And Australia is coming to India. It is important for Kohli to be in the form in Test cricket. It is important to prepare yourself for the Border – Gavaskar Trophy. That’s why Shastri suggested Kohli play Ranji instead of ODI cricket.

India is playing a one-day series against New Zealand at home. India also won the first two matches. But Shastri advised Kohli. According to him, Kohli should boost his confidence by playing in the Ranji Trophy instead of playing ODIs. Shastri also thinks that small interests should be left for the big interests.

In an interview, Shastri said, “There is no option to prepare yourself before a big series. I think you should play as much first-class cricket as possible to prepare yourself for international cricket. Since the series with Australia is at home, it can be especially first-class cricket. Great platform for preparation. I think the top cricketers in the country don’t play much first-class cricket. There is a lot of cricket being played around, but nobody wants to get injured. In the larger interest of Indian cricket, some matches have to be given up, and time to build up.”

By larger interests, Ravi Shastri refers to the series against Australia. He added, “Australia will tour India soon, the bigger interest now is the Australia series. Kohli has been in great form in ODIs, but I think he should prepare himself for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy without playing the third one-dayer. It depends on his adaptation to Tests. There will be more advantages to take. Chances of doing well with Australia will also increase.”

It should be noted that Kohli’s third one-day match against New Zealand is on January 24. On the same day, Delhi and Hyderabad will take the field in Ranji. Shastri cited Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar as an example. Sachin did this 25 years ago. And Tendulkar also got success.

At that time in 1998, Tendulkar scored more than 1000 runs against Australia, scoring a magnificent double-century. Kohli, however, did not comment on this.