New Delhi: Former India coach Ravi Shastri believes that experienced players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should now focus on Tests and ODIs while youngsters like Tilak Verma, Jitesh Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal Should be tried in T20.
Shastri told ESPN Cricinfo, “Players like Rohit, Virat Kohli have proved themselves. Youngsters who have done well in IPL should be given opportunities so that players like Rohit and Virat remain fresh for ODIs and Tests.”
He said, ‘With so much experience, now the focus should be on Test cricket. It is important to protect them from excessive cricket. Youngsters like Yashasvi, Jitesh, Tilak and Rinku Singh have done well this IPL season and are in contention for a place in the Rohit Sharma-led T20 squad.
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Shastri said, “These players should get a chance in the next T20 series against the West Indies.” The selectors should prepare them from now on. Instead of waiting, his current form should be used. He also said that a player playing in the top order for a franchise should not be fielded in the middle order for India. Same happened with Venkatesh Iyer after Shastri left.
He said, “If a player bats at number three or four for the franchise and you suddenly put him at number six or ask him to open the innings. I believe this should not happen. The right person should be selected for the right job. (agency)