Ravi Shastri shares thoughts on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's future

Former Indian cricketer and coach Ravi Shastri shared his views on the future of star players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma during commentary on the fifth day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

In response to commentator Mark Nicholas’ question, Shastri addressed the struggles of both players in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series. 

"I think Virat will play for some time. Forget the way he got out, or whatever. I think he'll play for another three or four years. As far as Rohit is concerned, it's a call. At the top of the order, you know, just feel the footwork isn't the same. He's probably at times, late in meeting the ball so it’s his call at the end of the series," Shastri said.

Both Kohli and Sharma have faced criticism for their lackluster performances in the ongoing series against Australia.

In the latest match, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli all failed to make an impact, with their dismissals coming in the first session. 

Rohit scored just nine runs off 40 balls before flicking a Pat Cummins delivery to the gully. Rahul was dismissed for a duck after an exceptional delivery from Cummins, while Kohli was caught at first slip by Mitchell Starc, scoring only five runs off 29 balls after chasing a wide delivery.

Kohli showed some resistance in the first innings, scoring 36 runs off 86 deliveries, but Rohit was dismissed for just three runs.

India found a brief spark in the middle session through a strong partnership between Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, Australia regained control in the final stages. Scott Boland dismissed Jasprit Bumrah with a nick to Steve Smith at first slip, and Nathan Lyon trapped Mohammed Siraj leg-before to seal a win for Australia.