Ravi Shastri calls Kohli-Rohit’s quarrel- nonsense, explains the real reason

Indian team’s head coach Ravi Shastri said that if there were serious differences with Kohli, then Rohit would not have scored five centuries in the World Cup 2019.

Trying to quell speculation over differences between Indian captain Virat Kohli and limited-overs team vice-captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Ravi Shastri said the difference in outlook should not be seen as a difference of opinion. Shastri, who had earlier termed the news of the alleged differences between the two senior players, was once again asked about this.

Shastri told Gulf News, ‘When there are 15 players in the team, there is always a time when there is a difference of opinion. This is needed. I do not want everyone to say the same thing. He said, ‘There should be discussions and only then one can think of any new strategy which should be encouraged. So you have to give the players a chance to express themselves and then decide what is best. ‘

Shastri said, ‘Sometimes it can be the most junior player in the team who can put forward a strategy that we may not have thought of and we need to consider it. So it should not be seen as a difference of opinion. Even before the Indian team left for the Caribbean tour, Kohli had dismissed reports of differences.

Shastri, who was re-appointed as the coach of the Indian team till 2021, said that if there were serious differences with Kohli, then Rohit would not have scored five centuries in the World Cup 2019. Shastri said, ‘I am part of the dressing room for the last five years. I have seen how boys are playing and how they are strengthening the team and they know their work ethic. I think this is utter nonsense.

He said, ‘If this happens, how would Rohit score five centuries in the World Cup? How does Virat do what he is doing? How do they form a partnership together? ‘